Tom Isern, NDSU University Distinguished Professor of history, was the featured guest on Prairie Public Broadcasting’s “Prairie Pulse” television program that aired April 7.
During the half-hour show, Isern was asked by host John Harris about a number of subjects, including his weekly PlainsFolk newspaper column, his research and his longstanding interest in the northern plains.
A key subject in the interview was the NDSU Press publication of the second edition of “Prairie Mosaic,” by Rev. Bill Sherman, for which Isern wrote the new introduction.
“It seemed like just a nice honor to be asked to do the interview for Prairie Public, but then, as John Harris guided the interview, it turned into this wonderful conversation about an academic life on the plains,” Isern said.
Isern's research and teaching involves the history and folklore of the Great Plains of the U.S. and Canada. He is the author or co-author of several books, including “Custom Combining on the Great Plains: A History,” “Plains Folk: A Commonplace of the Great Plains,” “Kansas Land,” “Bull Threshers and Bindlestiffs: Harvesting and Threshing on the North American Plains,” “Plains Folk II: The Romance of the Landscape” and “Dakota Circle: Excursions on the True Plains.”
Isern earned his bachelor’s degree at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas; and his master’s degree and doctorate at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. He received the 1999 Peltier Award for Innovative Teaching and the 2000 Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Professor Award. He also was a Fulbright Senior Scholar to New Zealand.
Active in several historical organizations, he is past president of the Western Social Science Association.
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