Meet Professor Fred Hardyway

The History Department is excited to welcome Dr. Fred Hardyway to campus for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Professor Hardyway received his Ph.D. in History from Washington State University in 2020, and will be teaching World History courses this Fall at PLU, including FYEP 101: Revolution in the Coffee House and HIST 103: Modern World Conflicts.

To introduce Professor Hardyway, Professor Mike Halvorson had a conversation with him over Summer break. This post contains a few excerpts, including essential data about his dog, Driscoll, and cat, Ivy.

You can reach Professor Hardyway at fdhardyway@plu.edu.

Research and Teaching Interests

Prof. Halvorson:  Where did you attend college? Can you share a few research interests with us?

Prof. Hardyway:  I attended undergraduate school in Wichita Kansas, and got my master’s degree in Wichita, Kansas both at Friends University, a liberal arts Quaker University. For my doctorate, I attended Washington State University and received my degree in 2020. I specialized in World History, West Africa, and Middle East History.

My dissertation examined the transmission of firearm technology into West Africa and argued that West Africans (Africans in general) were aware of firearm technology at least 125 years earlier than Europeans.  It also pointed out that the reason West Africans adapted the technology but did not firmly adopt the technology until a later period were due to concepts of honor and masculinity as well as the practical nature of gunpowder utility in climates that experienced monsoon, or rainy seasons.

Prof. Halvorson: Where have you taught, and what kind of teaching have you done?

Prof. Hardyway: I started out as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Washington State University before teaching my own classes there. I have also taught an international based Zoom course to students located in Dakar, Senegal as well as Accra, Ghana.  I have guest lectured at Marist college in New York, and Fort Hays University, in Kansas.

I have taught in person zoom, hybrid, and global asynchronous classes.  I have always taught history; however, the subjects range from World History, military technology, environmental trade, gender history, African American history, cartoon history, Islamic history, terrorism history and more!

Interests and Photography

Prof. Halvorson: What do you like to do in your free time?

Prof. Hardyway: For my free time I hike, or backpack.  I also am heavily into photography- it is not an addiction!  (A recent photo I took is shown below.) I also bake, mostly bread, although my daughter just bought me a deep fryer, so donuts are on the horizon!

Water and Clouds, Fred Hardyway

Prof. Halvorson: Do you have any pets?

Prof. Hardyway: I do have animals. My wife has a cat, Ivy, who likes me more because I act indifferent to her!  Also, Ivy enjoys the fact that I pick her up and throw her on the bed!  I also have a guide dog, Driscoll, whom you will see around from time to time.

Prof. Halvorson: Do you have any favorite foods? Board games? Streaming media?

Prof. Hardyway: I have three favorite foods- Lasagna, Beef Stroganoff, and Donuts!  Chess and Mah Jong are my favorite board games. I don’t really have a favorite movie, although I love Anime and cartoons in general.

Superpowers

Prof. Halvorson: If you had a “superpower,” what might it be?

Prof. Hardyway: It is hard to pick just one superpower- I would want a package! Just think about it, every superhero has more than just one power- except Batman- always the exception!  So, if I had to choose one power, I would choose the ability to teleport anywhere I could picture in my head or get coordinates too.

Prof. Halvorson: Is there anything else that you would like us to know about you?

Prof. Hardyway: Something I alluded to earlier, but I am legally blind- not completely. Most people don’t realize it even those who have known me for a while. Glass, or anything clear, is my nemesis!

Prof. Halvorson: We are very excited to welcome you to campus! What’s the best way for students to contact you?

Prof. Hardyway: Thank you! My email alias is fdhardyway@plu.edu. Students are also welcome to drop by and say “hello” anytime!