I was born and raised in Butler County, making my first full-time adventure into “the city” while attending UC. Through trial and error and multiple major paths, I finally declared history. I graduated in the spring of 2015 with a major in history and a minor in historic preservation. In my free time, I enjoy lifting weights and hunting.

What are you up to these days?

After graduating, I went full time at the warehouse job I had been working while at school; wanting more, I began a 4-year career journey that led me across the city and the country, leading me to my current career. I work for a packaging distribution company (think boxes, tape, stretch film)  in West Chester, Ohio. The team I work on engages in international sourcing to provide our customers with quality offshore products at a competitive price. I have been allowed to build relationships with people from across the globe, which has brought me great fulfillment.

What brought you to history at UC?

I became interested in history in high school, particularly the Civil War. At UC, I started out taking anthropology courses but realized I enjoyed learning more about what people did in history; I found a specific interest in the foundations of modern America.

What did you focus on as a history student at UC?

My focus at UC was American history. I found the Industrial Age and the formation of the great American cities we know today exciting. Great innovation happened during this time period, with inventions we still use today. With my minor being historic preservation, I was drawn to great American Architects such as Frank Loyd Wright, who forever changed the landscape of American architecture.

Did you have any favorite history courses? Which ones and why?

The one course that sticks out in my mind is HIST 3000: Introduction to Historical Thoughts and Methods (with Dr Susan Longfield Karr). This was one of the most challenging history courses I took; it really invited me to think about history differently than I had before. The philosophy books we read allowed students to develop the critical thinking skills paramount to developing the historian mindset.

What did you focus on for your capstone?

For my capstone, I focused on intellectual property law and how, in most cases, it is thrown out the window during times of war. War is known to be violent, devastating to families, and destroys countries; I noticed that at the core of the destruction was the seizure of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property that were valuable to a nation’s GDP. One such project by the US was Operation Paperclip; the United States captured German scientists and brought them to the US for employment. Not only did they capture people in this operation, but they also captured thousands of patents for missiles, rockets, and other military technologies.

What skills did you pick up from studying history that have served you well beyond your courses?

The research skills and writing techniques I gained at UC have helped me professionally and personally. Professionally, I am constantly researching innovative products to sell to our customers and identify optimal trade routes based on global conditions. I also write a monthly supply chain newsletter that is distributed to our sales reps, giving them insight into market trends.

Personally, I always find more enjoyment in researching my hobbies than most! Around 2020, to beat the pandemic blues, I started hunting. I enjoy learning about the history of hunting in America, why a turkey’s eyesight is 3x sharper than a human’s, or what the best duck decoy spread for a windy later-season hunt is and why. Being able to research effectively has allowed me to create a greater appreciation for the things I enjoy in life.

Have any advice for current students?

My time at UC was incredible. College is a transformative experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it.  Make sure to take time to slow down and acknowledge accomplishments. It truly is something special as a history major to be able to sit down and write a 15-,20- and 25-page paper (most times in a shorter than expected timeframe!). Give yourself credit where credit is due, if not for your current self, then for your future self. When I thought about the future, it sent chills down my spine. The prospect of a 10-year plan was startling to me in college, outside of classes my life was day by day. College is about creating a future; what you do today will affect the rest of your life.