History Department and Honors College to Host Symposium Honoring David Sloan

The Department of History and the Honors College will host a commemorative symposium, "David Sloan and the Life and Times of the Department of History, 1967-2006," from 2:30-4 p.m. Friday, March 6, in the Honors College Lounge. The event will celebrate the life, scholarship and enduring legacy of David Sloan, who passed away on March 4, 2025, at the age of 84. 

The program will feature remarks by Jeannie Whayne, University Professor of history; David Edwards, professor emeritus of history; Drew Sloan, David Sloan's son; and Patrick Williams, professor of history. Together, these reflections will honor Sloan's remarkable career and the profound impact he had on generations of students, colleagues and friends. 

Born in 1941 in Topanga Canyon, California, Sloan's early life included touring with an acrobatic troupe known as "The Amaz-ing Monahans." He later pursued his academic calling, earning a doctoral degree in American history from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 1967, he joined the Department of History, where he quickly became an indispensable member of a dynamic cohort of young scholars who helped build the department's reputation for excellence in teaching and scholarship. 

Over his 38-year tenure, Sloan influenced countless students and left an indelible mark on the intellectual life of the university. A historian of colonial and Revolutionary America who later became a leading authority on Spanish colonialism and the De Soto expeditions, he brought to his scholarship a rare combination of intellectual intensity, expansive curiosity and exacting care with words. Colleagues remember him as a great friend and loyal collaborator, known for his quick — and sometimes acerbic — wit, as well as his deep commitment to thoughtful debate and rigorous inquiry. 

The Department of History is currently planning the establishment of an award in Sloan's honor to recognize excellence in historical scholarship and teaching. 

The March 6 event is open to faculty, students, alumni and members of the community who wish to celebrate Sloan's life and lasting contributions.