PBS 'History Detectives' stars to visit West campus

Eduardo Pagán, Bob Stump Endowed Professor of History at ASU’s West campus, Arizona native and star of the popular PBS series “History Detectives,” joins his co-hosts for a special live event at 7:30 p.m., April 4, in the La Sala Ballroom at the West campus. The hosts will show clips from their investigations, tell behind-the-scenes stories about the program's most popular mysteries and take questions from the audience.

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To register, visit www.azpbs.org/hdlive. Seating is limited. Free parking will be provided for this special event on campus at 4701 W. Thunderbird Road.

“History Detectives” explores the complexities of historical mysteries – searching out the facts, myths and conundrums that connect local folklore, family legends and interesting objects. Pagán’s co-hosts include Wesley Cowan, independent appraiser and auctioneer; Gwendolyn Wright, historian and professor of architecture, Columbia University; Elyse Luray, independent appraiser and expert in art history; and Tukufu Zuberi, professor of sociology and director of the Center for Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. These experts use investigative techniques and modern technologies to provide new – and sometimes shocking – insights into our national history.

A new bonus episode of the show will air at 7 p.m., April 2, on Eight, Arizona PBS.

Pagán began his college career in the Valley at Mesa Community College. He then received bachelor's degree from ASU, a master's from the University of Arizona, and a master's and doctorate in U.S. history from Princeton University. Before returning to ASU, Pagán served as an assistant dean of students at Princeton, a faculty member at Williams College, and a senior program officer at the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C.

Pagán teaches in ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, the core college on the West campus.