Three years ago, Teresa and Dr. David Schmidt announced the creation of the LCpl Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt Endowed Professorship in History at TCU. The endowment honors their son killed in the line of duty in October 2011.

The couple launched the $1 million endowment with a $200,000 gift bequeathed by their son and matched by them. In just one year, the remaining funds were raised by Andrew Schoolmaster, dean of TCU’s AddRan College of Liberal Arts, and the University.

Last fall, the search began to find a professor who would honor Schmidt’s legacy and provide students with a comprehensive look at war beyond the battlefield to society at large.

Enter Dr. Kara Dixon Vuic.

Vuic began her career at TCU this semester as the Benjamin W. Schmidt Professor of War, Conflict and Society in 20th Century America.

“I am thrilled to be at TCU and to have the opportunity to teach courses that examine the way society and the military operate together,” said Vuic. “Whether it’s racial integration, equal pay for equal work or tuition benefits, the military has served as a catalyst to many advancements perceived as modern.

“My classes examine the components that shape the way the U.S. initiates war, the way Americans respond to war and even the way we remember war.”

“Liberal arts colleges teach students to be critical thinkers,” said Schoolmaster, dean of TCU’s AddRan College of Liberal Arts. “Our courses focus on building the span of knowledge that helps students excel in any career and Kara’s research, passion and vision provide the perfect complement.”

Vuic is a historian of the 20th Century United States whose research bridges the history of wars and militarization, gender and sexuality, as well as social and cultural history. She is the author of Officer, Nurse, Woman: The Army Nurse Corps in the Vietnam War and is currently working on her second book titled The Girls Next Door: American Women and Military Entertainment. Vuic earned bachelor’s degrees in history and English from Marshall University, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in history from Indiana University. She taught history for several years in Virginia and North Carolina before relocating with her family to Texas.

“When we lost Benjamin we had a choice,” said David Schmidt. “We could sit still and fill our days with pity and anger or we could figure out a way to honor our son. We’re excited that Benjamin will have a positive impact on generation after generation of students. We believe this endowment will help keep his spirit alive.”

Schmidt, a graduate of Alamo Heights High School, attended TCU for just over one year before deciding to withdraw from school and join the Marines. He completed sniper school and volunteered to go to Afghanistan, first to gain combat experience and then to lead a group of inexperienced snipers who had never been in combat. Schmidt was killed on his second deployment at the age of 24.