Alumni

As you’ll see from the stories below, graduates from PC’s Department of History have gone on to pursue a variety of vocations and passions. As these quotes can attest, a background in history serves PC’s students both professionally and personally. A degree in history is much more than proof that you can rattle off a bunch of dates and numbers. Pursuing a history major will equip you not just to be informed about the past, but to take that knowledge and apply it to the present day in order to understand better our increasingly globalized world and the problems that confront it.  Problem-solving skills, communication skills, thinking skills are all highly desirable attributes for a person seeking to make a positive impact on society and the world.

‘Dean Marshall Brown was the history dept. when I was there. He was an excellent teacher and an admirable man.’ ~ James, ‘41

‘[History] was the only major that actually interested me. Finally I have put that major to good use. After a month-long backpacking trip through Europe, then nearly five years working at an Outdoor Treatment Facility for troubled teenage boys…I have returned to what really interests me. I am a World History teacher at a local Charter High School.’ ~ Michael, ‘03

‘The voice of history seen and heard keeps listener in touch with beginnings and unfolding of plan and purpose of speaker.’ ~Tish, ’39

‘The faculty and their courses showed me that history is so much more than dates and events. This newly discovered richness excited me and inspired me to make the study of history my career.’ ~Weston, ’07

‘I am an administrator in a girls boarding school with a very diverse student body. My history courses gave me an understanding of and appreciation for the many cultures of the world. This knowledge has helped me to relate to my students.’ ~ Mary Lorick, ‘72

‘I owe just about my entire career to my experiences in the History Department. Memories of Dr. Coker’s lectures, Dr. Burnside’s jokes, and Dr. Needham’s unyielding interest in my college pursuits as my advisor all remain with me, and I reflect on them often.’ ~Grahame, ’96

‘I actively did History/Political Science thinking I might become a lawyer [or] politician. But it was good prep for the ministry.’ ~ Sherwood, ’70

‘[My favorite memory was] dressing up like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, giving a speech about women’s suffrage, and pounding a piece of fried chicken on the podium demanding women get the vote. Dr. Gustafson loved it! ~Alex, ’00

‘Along the way, and even after a degree is in hand, the PC history faculty are more than just professors. They are mentors – continually pushing, challenging, conversing, and uplifting. For me, they were and still are constant reminders that no matter how long it takes or how hard it is to get there, there is no substitute for doing what you truly love and are passionate about.’ ~ Russ, ’03

‘[My history major] taught me to think; to consider different points of view toward a single issue; to understand the circumstances that led us to where we find ourselves today. It showed me the need to be tolerant and understanding of other ideas and cultures.’ ~Gregory, ’82

‘Without a doubt, the most profound history moment at PC was walking through the actual trenches of WWI during a Maymester study in France. On the same trip, we also visited the grave of Richard the Lionheart. I was amazed at the fact that [his] body was laid to rest in 1199, almost 300 years before anyone in Europe paid attention to what became America.’ ~ Cam, ’01

‘The number one best thing about attending [PC] and majoring in history is the learned ability to think. I have been able to move between careers seamlessly, always knowing that I have the capability to quickly and properly learn whatever necessary to achieve my career goals.’ ~Alexa, ’04

‘History is the study of nations – people – happenings. What can be more interesting than that?’ ~ Robert, ’51

‘Following my graduation from Presbyterian I earned additional degrees at two exceptional institutions…where I was exposed to excellent professors and broad experiences, none had as dramatic an impact on my life and who I am today than the years that I spent as a student of Professors Coker, Burnside, and Needham at PC.’ ~John, ’77

‘During my tenure, my professors taught me to ask the critical question – why did something happen. History was no longer a telling of facts that had occurred in years gone by but rather a critical examination of what had occurred and the implications to the present and future.’ ~ Art, ‘73

‘I also enjoyed discussing current political/historical events with professors outside of class, in order to get a deeper and more thorough understanding of who they were and how they viewed the world…’ ~Kevin, ’04

‘Both of my history professors (Jones and Clark) were great teachers and cared about their students. I could return to the college for events and see them and they would call me by name.’ ~ Norman, ’59

‘As a history major, I refined my critical analysis and communication skills which have been pivotal for me as a law student.’ ~Keshia, ’06

‘Defending my senior thesis…was nerve-wracking, but it built a platform from which I could feel comfortable in my ideas, put them in a public forum, and be confident in the results.’ ~ Preston, ‘04

‘One of my favorite memories is my Study Abroad trip to France…Travelling abroad and visiting sites in person really made ‘history come alive’. I found myself much more empathetic to other people and cultures. I could imagine myself in their place and I could view the issues they faced through their eyes.’ ~Jesse, ’02

…‘to strike a mighty blow at provincialism and  narrowmindedness…’ ~Sam, ’66

‘After years of papers and presentations, along with time spent in the offices of history professors and working alongside fellow majors, I feel that I have tremendously strengthened my communications skills.’ ~Katherine, ’08

‘[History] has contributed to my professional life both in the [Army] and now as a teacher in the classroom. Even if I had entered corporate life, it would pay to understand history in all aspects of society and the effects actions have on the future.’ ~James, ’85

‘PC history faculty are genuinely caring professors who take the time to get to know their students on a personal level. Experts in their field, the professors provide students with an education that is second to none.’ ~Ben, ’08

‘Critical thinking is at the core of all upper-level history courses.’  ~David, ’08