SEMO Professor Receives National Award for Preservation Education

The award is named for James Marston Fitch, a pioneer in the field who helped establish the historic preservation program at Columbia University in 1966, one of the first programs of its kind in the country. The Fitch Award is considered the nation's top honor for preservation education.

"It really is quite an honor," Hoffman said. "Over the years I've watched the luminaries of the field receive this honor and never really saw myself as being in their league. To be recognized for the work I've done here at Southeast Missouri State University is beyond special. I'm humbled that they think I'm worthy of this recognition, and I think it speaks well of our program and our students. Without their success in the field after graduation, I would not be receiving this award."

Tell Me More About Historic Preservation

For Hoffman, that success is the clearest measure of the impact of his work at SEMO. His former students have gone on to careers with State Historic Preservation Offices throughout the Midwest, consulting firms, state and federal agencies, the National Park Service and other organizations.

Hoffman sees preservation education as serving two purposes: helping the public understand why historic places matter and preparing students to build careers in a field with opportunities across the country.

"Historic preservation helps us remember who are and connects us meaningfully to our collective past," Hoffman said. "By preserving historic buildings and landscapes, we are better able to remember our history and stay connected to it. This allows us to be connected to something larger than ourselves."

He also emphasizes the responsibility preservation professionals have to ensure the history being preserved reflects the experiences of the people and communities connected to it.

"In addition to developing the skills that are required for students to be successful in the field of historic preservation and public history, I hope they take with them a sense of responsibility for telling the complete American story," Hoffman said. "I believe it is important that everyone's story be included, and that we need to pay attention to telling the stories that may have been overlooked or ignored, or might be difficult to tell. Everyone should be able to see themselves in the stories we tell, and in the history we remember and preserve, and it is our duty as professionals to make that happen."

For students interested in culture, heritage and careers in historic preservation and public history, SEMO provides opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills needed to enter the field. Learn more at semo.edu/apply.

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