Dr. David Witwer

Biography

David Witwer joined Penn State Harrisburg in 2008 after previously teaching at Lycoming College. He received his Ph.D. and M.A. in history from Brown University and completed his undergraduate degree at DePauw University. His scholarship focuses on the impact of union corruption scandals on modern American politics, bringing together intersecting historical fields such as labor, politics, journalism, and organized crime. His book, 'Corruption and Reform in the Teamsters Union,' examines the causes of corruption and the role of organized crime in one of the nation's most important labor organizations. Witwer's work challenges the stereotypical image of union members as apathetic and cynical regarding corruption, highlighting how conservatives manipulated the issue to delegitimize the labor movement. He emphasizes the misrepresentation of causes of corruption by media and anti-unionists, who largely blame union power while ignoring the influence of corrupt employers. In 'Shadow Racketeer: The Scandal of Organized Labor,' Witwer uses the history of conservative journalist Westbrook Pegler's exposé on corruption scandals to demonstrate how these events have tainted public perception of union power. In recognition of his work, Witwer was named Penn State Laureate for the 2020-21 academic year, where he has delivered lectures on corruption, organized crime, and labor racketeering. His ongoing research includes tracing the history of James R. Hoffa's disappearance and its implications on working-class attitudes towards corruption.

Research Interests

Experience