This is the text of the oration Aine O’Connor delivered on May 28, 2018, at the Holland Memorial Day Ceremony. Hello, and let me first say thank you, to all of you for coming out on this very hot day. It is an honor to be here, and I promise to be brief, if only …
Continue reading “Carry On: Memories of Holland in World War I”
At a time when the humanities appear to be in a crisis mode, with declining enrollment numbers across campuses, I want to share my thoughts about how, from a faculty’s perspective, the work I do in history relates back to the core issue of what it means to be in touch with my humanistic outlook. …
Continue reading “Faculty Feature: The Emotional Responsibility of a Historian”
When I sat down to write this piece about how studying history at Hope has shaped my career and worldview, I found myself unsure of where to begin. Do I write about conducting archival research on the Liberian Civil War and exploring the role of historical narratives in post-genocide Rwanda? What about the semester I …
So I’m in a social setting, mingling with a new acquaintance. I’m asked what I do. “I’m a professor.” Bad start, haha. “Of what?” Obligatory response. “The history of sports,” I say, getting uncomfortable. I don’t like where this inquisition is headed. “So you must know a lot about sports.” “Sure, I guess,” I answer …
Continue reading “Faculty/Alumni Feature: Chad Carlson, ’03”
It was never my plan to declare a major during my junior year at Hope. I had a solid psychology major in process and on the way to completing my degree. My feet were firmly planted on the on the snowy sidewalks of Holland, so it was a surprise to many, especially my parents, when …
If you are a student of history or simply the humanities in general, you get asked the following question A LOT: “So, what are you going to do with that? Teach?” I’m pretty sure if I had a dollar for every time I was asked that about my studies in English and history, I would …
Continue reading “Alumni Feature: How to Answer “What are You Going to Do with That?””
Happy New Year, and welcome back to Hope students, faculty, and staff! The history department is gearing up for our semester, including offering new courses on Russian history and the history of peacemakers in the 20th-century United States. All of our faculty are looking forward to meeting new students and working with them on a …
It’s the end of the semester. This is one of those good news, bad news stories. The holidays are coming. We are about to get a break. For some people, the holidays mean a chance to see friends and family. For others, the holidays can be a challenging time, with loneliness and depression always a …
I grew up in a family that loved history. As a child I would attempt, in vain, to keep up with my father and older sister at dinner as they jumped from topic to topic, war to war. Tired of not contributing, I began to read. What began as an earnest desire to be part …
Continue reading “Alumni Feature: Claire Barrett, ’15: “Do What You Love””
