John Bratzel, PhD is a retired professor from Michigan State University where he taught for 36 years. An historian by training, Bratzel has taught both undergraduates and graduate students. MSU awarded Bratzel the prestigious Teacher-Scholar award. In it the University recognized Bratzel’s sophistication of analysis, easy, almost conversational delivery style, and appropriate sense of humor in his lectures and presentations.

Besides teaching, Bratzel was graduate director for the MSU Caribbean and Latin American Studies Center among other administrative positions.
He was asked to work with the MSU Admission’s office to recruit students to MSU and to give separate talks to the parents and to the students at summer orientation on being a successful student. Bratzel also was the President and then Executive Director of the Popular Culture Association. As Executive Director he planned and budgeted the yearly meetings of the PCA which often had more than 2,000 attendees
Bratzel has written or edited a number of books, two of which received awards. He has also published many articles and given many academic papers including keynote addresses.

In 2022, Bratzel became a Viking Resident Historian. He also gives talks for the Osher Institute for Life-Long Learning at the University of New Mexico. Finally, he offers presentations about turning wood on a lathe at the New Mexico State Fair where he has won two blue ribbons for his work.

John Bratzel lives with his wife, Ruth, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On cruises, Ruth often offers “Crafters Corners” in the fabric arts.

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In 2022 I became a Resident Historian for Viking Cruise Lines. Prior to that, I was a professor at Michigan State University where I taught writing, history, and was Graduate Director for the Center for Latin American Studies.