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Tenor of Our Times is a journal of student historical work jointly produced by the Eta Phi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta and the History & Political Science Department. Tenor represents the best scholarship by our undergraduate students and can be on any historical topic. Submissions are accepted until the end of January, and then the journal is published in late April.

Inquiries should be sent to tenortimes@harding.edu.

After a visit to the National Biennial Phi Alpha Theta Conference in January 2012, our students and faculty advisor, Julie E. Harris, came home energized and our first volume was published in Spring 2012. Since that time, our student editorial staff has increased from three editors to five, with a supporting faculty editorial board drawn from across the globe and a student review board of six-eight sophomores, juniors, and seniors. In the Spring of 2015, at the instigation of student editor John Frizzell, Tenor participated in the Phi Alpha Theta Nash Journal Competition. Since then, Tenor has won several Nash Awards. 

In 2017, we adopted the current format and platform of the journal. In 2018, the Nash Award began to require journals to select either print or online. Funds for the Nash Award are used to help expand and print the journal the following year. Our readership continues to grow, and we appreciate your support and interest in Tenor and in history. Tenor is currently available both online, and in print form.  View all volumes of the journal and the submission guidelines.

2023-24 Editors

  • Isaac Copeland, senior editor
  • Luke Ziegler, copy editor
  • Meghan McElroy, advertising editor
  • Zoie Dean, art and aesthetics editor
  • Max DeLoach, student review board

Fred Jewell Memorial Historical Essay Contest

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The History & Political Science Department of Harding University, Tenor of Our Times, and the Eta Phi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta are proud to announce the Fred Jewell memorial Historical Essay contest. This contest is for high school students grade 10-12.  

The theme is Leaders in History. Entries will be accepted from June 1st - Jan. 15th of each year. Winning students will have their essay published in Tenor of Our Times and there will be a cash prize of $100 for first place and $50 for second place. 

Students should choose a historical figure who was a leader in their country, time, or field (literature, military, music, film, science, sport, politics, etc.). A successful essay should have a clear thesis and utilize primary sources, as available.  Essays are to be  800-1,000 words in length, use 12 point Times New Roman font, and include a Works Cited page (MLA, APA, CHICAGO). 

For  further questions, email tenortimes@harding.edu.   Please include your name, grade, and contact email. The application  for submission is linked to the QR code on this page.  

 

Fred R. Jewell was the definition of a gentleman and a scholar. Dr. Jewell taught at Harding from 1968-2009 and trained generations of historians and teachers, who remember him with great respect and affection. He was happily married for 59 years to Dr. Mrs. Alice Jewell. His 42.5 year career spanned 11 Summer Olympics, 7 U.S. presidential administrations, 4 wars, 3 recessions, and countless political scandals. He served as an elder at the College Church of Christ, and went on numerous mission trips to Russia, Scotland, Albania, Finland, and elsewhere. He was the advisor for the Eta Phi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta for 33 years, and also served as the national secretary during the 1980s. He passed from death to life in January 2023, leaving a legacy of his Christ-like leadership through  kindness, excellence, godliness, and commitment.   He approved this essay contest, as long as he did not have to grade the essays

Issue Archive

This is the cover image for Tenor of our Times Volume XI, 2022.

Volume XI
2022

Nash Award: First place in online
This is the cover of the 2021 Tenor of our Times.

Volume X
2021

Nash Award: First place in online
Tenor of our Times Volume IX

Volume IX
2020

Nash Award: First place in online
Tenor of our Times Volume VIII

Volume VIII
2019

Nash Award: First place in online
Tenor of our Times Volume VII

Volume VII
2018

Nash Award: First place in online
Tenor of our Times Volume VI

Volume VI
2017

Nash Award: First place in print and online
Tenor of our Times Volume V

Volume V
2016

Nash Award: First place in print and online
Tenor of our Times Volume IV

Volume IV
2015

Nash Award: Third place
Tenor of our Times Volume III Volume III
2014
Tenor of our Times Volume II, 2013 Volume II
2013
Tenor of our Times Volume I, 2012 Volume I
2012

Contact Us

History & Political Science Department is part of the College of Arts & Sciences

501-279-4427

history@harding.edu

politicalscience@harding.edu

Fax: 501-279-4626