History

"The study of history proves valuable in whatever career choice a person pursues ­ honing skills such as researching and writing, developing an argument, and understanding the rich multiplicity of events that lead to the present. At Union, the history department developed my ability to grasp the big picture and, at the same time, to analyze the complexities of a particular situation. This skill proved invaluable during the past year while I was researching and writing community histories and profiles or an NGO in Leon, Nicaragua. Through lectureships, social gatherings, conferences, travel courses, and clubs, the Union history department created a unique experience and a vibrant community that encouraged scholarship and promoted camaraderie."

Mary Ellen Poe ('13)
Worked at El Ayudante in Leon, Nicaragua in 2013-2014
Recently earned a Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary
Present activity: legal assistant at law firm in Jackson, Tennessee

"A history degree from Union has been invaluable. It is an excellent foundation for graduate studies, but what I learned as a history major has helped me in every area of my life. It taught me how to think, how to research, and it allowed me to reach my full potential. The faculty at Union area so knowledgeable and caring and provide individual guidance in a wonderful Christian environment. I would recommend a history degree at Union to anyone looking for an excellent academic and Christ-centered experience in this field."

Patricia Dawson ('13)
Present activity: PhD student in Native American history at the University of North Carolina, where she has a Royster Fellowship

"The most influential people in my formal education have been my history professors at Union University. My experience in the history department at Union provided me a solid academic foundation for speaking, reading, writing, and researching. Through interactions with history faculty as well as other students, I learned how to think analytically about historical subjects. In seeking a graduate degree in history, I am continually reminded of the lessons learned through my studies at Union."

Elizabeth Blevins Eubanks ('12)
Present activity: second-year graduate student in a history Ph.D. program at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville

"Many college students choose a major as freshmen, then wind up changing it seven or eight times before finally settling on a permanent choice. I declared history as my major two months into my freshman year and never wavered once. While part of this is because of my love of history and engagement with the subject matter, I also enjoyed interacting with and learning from passionate professors who embodied the Union core value of being people-focused. As a classroom teacher today, I can honestly say that I have taken things from all five of the professors I had in the department and integrated them into my classroom practice. These relationships, more than yellowed notebooks or ephemeral texts, have had lasting impact on my life and career and daily reinforce the belief that my choice made as a freshman was an excellent one."

Cameron White ('10)
Present activity: history teacher at Crockett County High School, Alamo, Tennessee

"History is at its core an exercise in empathy, an attempt to bridge time and place in order to tell another¹s story. This, of course, is a skill invaluable in and of itself, one I truly treasure. Union's history faculty instilled in me that learning about the past should breed Christ-centered compassion for the perspectives of others. However, as I was honing my ability to understand the past with nuance and balance a funny thing happened. I learned to communicate my own story. I learned to write purposefully and through writing I also learned to think. I developed the ability to dissect arguments and to bolster my own reasoning with relevant research presented in a compelling manner. In short, I found my voice. I realized I had something to say. The vision now for the rest of my life is to inspire these same skills in others through the context of higher education."

Ben Burleson ('07)
M. Div., Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
Present activity: financial analyst at JMS Russel Metals in Jackson, Tennessee