Kurt Hackemer

Kurt Hackemer serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of History at the University of South Dakota. He holds a prominent position in both academic administration and historical scholarship, with a focus on 19th century American military and naval history.

His educational background includes a Ph.D. in History from Texas A&M University (1994), an M.A. in History from Texas A&M University (1991), and a B.A. in History from the University of Chicago (1989).

Dr. Hackemer's research centers on American Civil War history, American Naval History, and Veterans on the Western Frontier. His scholarly work demonstrates a particular interest in how Civil War veterans migrated to and established communities on the American frontier, with significant focus on Dakota Territory. His teaching portfolio spans American Military History, European Military History, and War & Society courses, reflecting his broad expertise in military history across different eras and regions.

His recent publications reveal a consistent scholarly trajectory examining Civil War veterans' migration patterns, particularly to Dakota Territory, and the psychological and social factors driving these movements. His work bridges military history with social history, examining not just the war itself but its long-term societal impacts.

• Edwin H. Simmons Memorial Service Award, Society for Military History, 2023
• Dorothy Schwieder Prize for the Best Article in Midwestern History for 2017, Midwestern History Association, 2018
• Truman & Beverly Schwartz Distinguished Faculty Award, College of Arts & Sciences, 2004
• Belbas-Larson Excellence in Teaching Award - Honorable Mention, University of South Dakota, 2004
• Regents Award for Research Excellence, Office of Research, USD, 2003
• Victor Gondos Memorial Service Award, Society for Military History, 2003

As an administrator, Dr. Hackemer has secured significant grant funding including the Expanding Native Retention Efforts at USD through the SD College Access Challenge Grant Program (2011-2012), the Tribal Youth Governance Camp funded by the Bush Foundation (2011), and the South Dakota Oral History Center Digitization Project funded by the United States Congress (2009-2012). His leadership extends to academic technology initiatives, as evidenced by his work on the University of South Dakota Palm Initiative.

Dr. Hackemer maintains an active scholarly presence through regular presentations at major historical conferences including the Society for Military History Annual Meetings, where he has served as chair, commentator, and presenter on topics ranging from Civil War veterans to naval history.