ICC's McCaffery lands lead article in award-winning scholarly journal

ICC's McCaffery lands lead article in award-winning scholarly journal

Photo caption: Independence Community College Professor of History, Isaias McCaffery, Ph.D.

Professor of History at Independence Community College (ICC), Isaias McCaffery, Ph.D., wrote the lead article for the recently issued Spring 2018 edition of Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains Vol. 41, No. 1 published by Kansas State University and the Kansas State Historical Society.

 

The journal publishes scholarly articles, edited documents, and other materials that contribute to an understanding of the history and cultural heritage of Kansas and the Central Plains. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed anonymously by scholars who determine their suitability for publication based on originality, quality of research, significance, and presentation, among other factors.

 

“As a professor at a small-town community college, it’s nice to publish work alongside my university peers,” said McCaffery.  “This speaks to the solid academic reputation of our institution.  Having my piece selected as the Spring 2018 cover article was especially gratifying.”

 

McCaffery’s piece examines the life and career of an Osage chief and diplomat, We-He-Sa-Ki, whose village laid just north of Independence in 1870. We-He-Sa-Ki led Osage warriors during the Civil War with Confederate troops east of town, was an Army scout of Col. George Armstrong Custer and negotiated with the United States in the process of Osage removal from Kansas and the creation of the modern Osage Nation.

 

McCaffery says he has been gathering information about local history for years.

 

“My main research focus is ethnic and minority communities, including stories of migration and immigration,” said McCaffery. “While there are general histories of the Osage Nation, including a fairly new one examining Osage women, no one had tried to reconstruct the life of a 19th century leader. In the past, without computers and digitalized records, the time required to assemble scattered references was likely prohibitive.”

 

This fall, McCaffery will begin his 20th year at ICC.

 

McCaffery earned his doctoral degree in history from the University of Kansas after he received his bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University and his master’s degree from Oklahoma State University—both also in history.

 

The Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains, is the recipient of awards from the Western History Association and the American Association for State and Local History.

 

A hard copy of the Spring 2018 edition of Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains Vol. 41, No. 1, which features McCaffery’s article, is available for viewing at the ICC library located on the top floor of the academic building on campus.

 

To learn more about the journal or to subscribe, visit the journal website at: http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-history/12443.

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