Hometown: Dresden, TN
Major: History
Minor: Political Science
Extracurricular activities: Rhodes College Football, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity Executive Board, Rhodes Activities Board Concert Committee, Rhodes Student Government Senator, Dresden Fire Department Firefighter
Tell the story of how you got to Rhodes College.
I was contacted by the football coaching staff as a student-athlete prospect. I visited the campus and loved everything that Rhodes had to offer, from its competitive athletics programs to its push for student involvement—not to mention its great academic reputation. I chose Rhodes after seeing all of this and still am extremely happy with my decision.
How have you changed since beginning your studies at Rhodes College?
I have developed study habits that will benefit me throughout my academic career that I would not have otherwise developed. Rhodes has provided me with opportunities to grow through exposure to cultural arts and through experiences that would not have otherwise been available to me, such as the archaeology Maymester at Ames Plantation, my internship with the Mississippi River Museum, and intensive research for the development of a documentary film on a Civil War battle. Also, since being at Rhodes, I have found the career path that I would like to pursue.
Tell us about your internship and research experiences while at Rhodes.
During the Spring 2014 term, I interned at the Mississippi River Museum and was asked to curate an exhibit for the museum at Mud Island River Park. In collaboration with Jimmy Ogle and the staff at the museum, the exhibit was completed and opened in late April 2014, where it was open to the public until August. My specific work in developing the exhibit involved cleaning the paintings, completing research, writing text panels, and titling the paintings. I also developed the flow of the exhibit, hung the paintings, and positioned the lighting. This opportunity was both challenging and rewarding, and I am grateful for the experience.
The Civil War research I conducted for the documentary “Remember Fort Pillow” was done in part with Professor Dee Garceau and the 400-level history class I took my sophomore year. All of the class played significant roles in researching, filming, voice-overs, and the flow of the film. My part in particular included conducting research on primary documents and first-hand accounts of the Battle of Fort Pillow from the perspective of both Union and Confederate soldiers. I also was a co-director of the film along with some of my fellow students. The production included going to different sites to film, including the actual battlefield where the battle took place, Western Kentucky University, and downtown Memphis at the former Forrest Park. While filming and going to these sites, I took part in interviews with different people with varying perspectives on the subject matter. This class and opportunity provided a great experience for me as a history major to learn in-depth material on a relevant matter in our nation’s history. Professor Garceau was the main force behind this film, and I was glad to be a part of the film team.
How have your extracurricular activities influenced your career path?
Balancing the academic demands of my course of study at Rhodes with athletics and fulfilling the responsibilities of my involvement with my fraternity and other social organizations within the Rhodes community have given me the confidence to pursue a challenging career. My experiences in student organizations have helped me develop leadership skills and have exposed me to a network of future professionals. After graduation, I plan to pursue a law degree. Rhodes has emphasized the importance of service and has prepared me for commitment to community involvement as an attorney.
Compiled by Caroline Ponseti ‘15