Research award recognizes a scholar’s journey through war and peace

Some professors simply teach history, but Mitchell Hall, Ph.D., has lived with it, wrestled with it, and written it into eight books. 

As a professor in the Department of History, World Languages and Cultures at Central Michigan University, Hall has spent nearly four decades exploring the intersections of war, peace, and culture. Since joining CMU in 1989, Hall has built a prolific body of work, including eight published books, a dozen peer-reviewed articles, and numerous encyclopedia entries.

Now, as he prepares to publish what he calls the “culmination” of his academic career, Hall has been awarded CMU’s 2025 President’s Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity. His book, Waging Peace, an extensive history of the Vietnam antiwar movement, will be published by Cambridge University Press later this year.

Focusing on war and antiwar movements for nearly his whole life, Hall’s passion began during his teenage years at the height of the Vietnam War. “The war defined much of my early thinking. Being around draft age, it wasn’t just academic, it was an immediate concern” he said. “That experience and curiosity has stayed with me and shaped much of my work.” This book brings together decades of Hall’s questions, research, and teaching, making it deeply personal and professionally meaningful. 

 Hall’s research has practical applications for students in his classes as well. The overlap between his scholarship and teaching is intentional. Hall’s research fuels his lectures, whether it’s in his Vietnam War course or while dissecting protest songs in his rock and roll class. 

Hall’s contributions have earned recognition not only on campus, but globally. His work has been cited by scholars, journalists, and even international media. Reflecting on the past 36 years at CMU, Hall said, “I hope I’ve passed on some of what my mentors gave me: a sense of purpose, curiosity, and the value of thoughtful inquiry.”