By Josh Kam Every college freshman has a Dreaded Question. The sort of thing your roommate’s mom asks almost before you’ve shaken hands, that the Michigan-friendly cashiers on 8th Street will ask to start conversation. “What’s your major?” “But whatcha gonna do with a major like that?” “Are you dating?” “Like, I know you’re not …
Author Archives: Sarah Baar
Collaborative Research
By Lauren Janes This summer I had the joy of leading a team of students in collaborative research to help launch my next book project, The Modern History of Global Food. The book will feature a series of case studies exploring how we can better understand important world historical themes by analyzing foods that moved …
Welcome, First-Year Students!
Today’s the day we’ve all been waiting for! Our 2016-2017 first-year students move in. We’re so excited for a brand new school year and lots of fun changes! This year we’re pleased to welcome a new Office Manager, Raquel Niles. She’ll be hitting the ground running, so please excuse an interruption or two to our regularly …
Student Feature: Cullen Smith
By Cullen Smith, ’17 I believe that looking into the past gives the observer a chance to understand what was then little understood. This summer, with the help of the Mellon Scholars and the History Department (and with my advisor Dr. Natalie Dykstra from the English Department), I had the opportunity to look at Expo …
Alumni Feature: Lou Canfield
By Lou Canfield I graduated from Hope College with a double major in History and Political Science in 2001 and have worked for the City of Grand Rapids since 2006. I manage the Design & Development Department, which is responsible for planning and zoning, development review, permits and inspections. My work responsibilities are wide ranging including finance and budgeting, …
Student Feature: Jonathan Tilden
By Jonathan Tilden, ’17 I researched for the department in the summer of 2015. I heard about the opportunity while in an American history class with Dr. Petit and was immediately interested. Dr. Petit, the faculty member who would be overseeing this project, was interested in constructing a website about the United War Work Campaign of 1918, an …
New Department Chair: Introduction
By Jeanne Petit As a new chair of the Department of History, I feel that I am standing on the shoulders of giants. I have worked under three fabulous chairs during my time at Hope College: Dr. Albert Bell; Dr. Janis Gibbs; and Dr. Marc Baer. Their leadership elevated our department in many areas, particularly …
Alumni Feature: Rachel Syens
By Rachel Syens I’ve always loved history. I was the kid who made her friends watch Gladiator over the latest rom-com, stayed up way too late devouring novels like The Scarlet Pimpernel, and insisted on taking summer vacations to historic Williamsburg. I made it all the way to the State level of National History Day with a one-woman …
Alumni Feature: Jackie Huss
By Jackie Huss When I arrived on Hope’s campus in the fall of 2001 the thought of becoming a history major had never entered my mind. Like many people, I discovered new things about myself during my freshman year and knew I needed to find a new focus. My parents encouraged me to look back on my …
Student Feature: Alexandra Piper
By Alex Piper, ’17 Ever since I was a kid, museums have been a point of fascination for me. I used to beg my parents to take my across the country to a certain museum or explain to my friends in nauseating detail about my favorite museums and exhibits. When it came time to look for an internship …