Exploring Fredericksburg’s Watershed

Students from the “Virginia Issues and Controversies” class paddled along the Rappahannock River last Friday after discussing the environmental issues facing Fredericksburg’s watershed.

In addition to observing various water pollutants, they had an opportunity to see some of the river’s local residents, including kingfishers, bald eagles, and even Goose George.

Students kayaking

History and American Studies – Club Meeting (Sept. 8)

Internship Opportunity – American Historical Association (deadline 8/27)

The American Historical Association is seeking undergraduate students to work remotely as interns during the fall semester. AHA interns work on a variety of projects and gain insight into historical and nonprofit work. Students will be matched with an AHA staff member who will mentor and oversee their work. They will have an opportunity to attend departmental and general staff meetings and to learn about the day-to-day work of the world’s largest professional association of historians.

Accepted interns will need to receive either a stipend or course credit from their home institutions; we understand this is not possible in many cases, but we cannot accept an intern who receives neither stipend nor course credit. Hours are negotiable, though we are estimating approximately a 10-20 hour/week commitment during the fall, depending on the student’s schedule.

In their cover letter, interested candidates should indicate which department and/or project they are most interested in working with and any relevant experiences.

  • Academic & Professional Affairs:
    • An intern will assist with the data collection and standardization necessary for the expansion of the Where Historians Work database. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required.
    • An intern will assist with the analysis and visualization of survey data collected by the AHA’s Survey of Doctoral Programs. Experience with data visualization tools would be helpful, but is not required.
  • Research & Publications:
    • An intern will assist on the “Racist Histories & the AHA” research project by performing database research and working with the AHA’s archive. Experience with data visualization tools is preferred but not required.

Applications are due by Friday, August 27, and will be considered on a rolling basis.

How to apply:

  • Log into your MY AHA account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free.
  • Click “Available Application Forms” in the AHA Awards, Grants, and Jobs section.
  • Click Apply next to the AHA Internship link. In the section labeled Supporting Documents, upload a single PDF with a cover letter, CV or resume, and the contact information for two references. Separate letters of recommendation are NOT required.

Please contact Alexandra Levy, AHA’s digital communications coordinator, with any questions.

Phi Alpha Theta – Congratulations to New Inductees

Phi Alpha Theta Group Zoom Photo

The Department of History and American Studies was delighted to welcome new inductees to the Phi Alpha Theta honor society this past week. Phi Alpha Theta is the academic honor society founded in 1921 to “promote the study of study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians.”

UMW’s own Upsilon Delta chapter is happy to announce the induction of the following new members:

2020:

Alexander T. Moses
Jaelynn K. Scott
Grace Anne Corkran
Kimberly A. Eastridge
Nicole A Haynes
Madelyn K. Shiflett
Jonathan Zwemer
Michael Silberstein
Emily Lauren Thompson
Sydney J. Morrison
Gianna Banish
Deborah Hunnel
Jacob R. James

2021:

Cody M. Youngblood
Katie Cecilia Molina
Jean-Pierre Maldonado
Morgan L. Gilbert
Madison F. Kidwell
Megan E. Williams
Lauryn M. Bailey
Emilia L. Michalkiewicz
Taylor E. Coleman
Chandler Carlson
Lyndsey Marie Clark
Christopher A. O’Neil
Karl Jessen

Congratulations again to our 2020 and 2021 Phi Alpha Theta members! More information on Phi Alpha Theta can be found here.

Roger Connor–Counternarratives in Public History: Aviation and Criminality

The Department of History and American Studies is pleased to announce the upcoming lecture by Dr. Roger Connor, “Counternarratives in Public History: Aviation and Criminality.” Dr. Connor is a curator and historian at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. His lecture will take place on zoom on Tuesday, February 16, 4pm-5:30pm. For access to the zoom link, please contact Dr. Harris at sharris@umw.edu.

Sarah Pietrowski Earns National Phi Alpha Theta Award


The Department of History and American Studies is delighted to announce that Sarah Pietrowski has earned the national Phi Alpha Theta Undergraduate Scholarship award.

This award is granted for excellence in scholarship to competing History majors in their senior year, along with a $1,000 scholarship to accompany it.

We are happy to cheer Sarah and celebrate her success!

Summer Internship (Paid) — Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative

Application Deadline: March 15, 2020 or when 350 applications are received (please see details below)


This summer, be a part of a transformational experience that goes beyond just another internship. Through hands-on activities and original research, you will contribute to a national effort to share a diversity of women’s voices from the past and present. You will learn to use unique tools for civic engagement and representation in museum and other community spaces. You will develop familiarity and experience with museum practice and American women’s history.

Who? Undergraduate and recent graduates with a commitment to women’s history

What? Eight-week long cohort internship experience, with paid group housing, reimbursable travel to and from Washington D.C., and a weekly $382.50 stipend. The total value of this internship, including the weekly stipend and the paid group housing, is $6300 (not including travel reimbursement).

Where?  Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

When? June 14 – August 8, 2020

Why? Opportunity to explore various career paths, networks, leadership and mentorship experiences, and build practical professional skills.

Application deadline: Be advised that this application will close on will close at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on either: (A) Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time or (B) The date that 350 applications are received; whichever occurs first. If the announcement closes on the date that 350 applications are received, all applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time that day will be given consideration, including those in excess of 350.

See this link for full info and application instructions: https://womenshistory.si.edu/news/2020/02/paid-summer-internship-application-now-open