Reimagining history
Dr. Kugler is interested in how popular culture like novels, movies and video games use the past as platforms for their stories. His book
Into the Jungle! A Boy’s Comic Strip History of World War II features his father’s old comic strips, which use human-like frogs and toads to chronicle the Pacific War from World War II .
Committed researcher
In 2019, Dr. Kugler was among 25 faculty from around the world selected to participate in a summer seminar on science and religion in Oxford, England. The seminar focused on bridging the cultures of science and humanities.
Christian scholar
Dr. Kugler is writing a book to help students think Christianly about historical scholarship. His project was supported by Northwestern’s 2020 Endowed Research Fellowship.
Award-winning professor
Described by students as a lively professor who wants students to think deeply, Dr. Kugler received Northwestern’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2006 and its Faculty Excellence in Faith and Learning Award in 2025.
Relationship builder
Dr. Kugler not only encourages his students in and out of the classroom, but he also keeps in touch with Northwestern alumni. They talk about their work and families, interesting books and movies, theology and more.