Alumni News

Jim Flook - Amy Sanderson - Sarah Moddel - Jonathan Neu - James Cousins/Sarah Handley - Thomas Paone

Jim Flook, (Gettysburg Semester '04) writes, "I am a graduate of Prof. Guelzo's first Gettysburg Semester. The seminar paper I wrote for Prof. Guelzo became a chapter in my honors thesis at Penn State entitled "Why Jefferson Davis Was Not Hanged After the American Civil War." I earned my B.A. in History with honors from Penn State and an M.A. in history from the University of Florida. I am currently a Ph.D Candidate in American History at UF with a focus on the American Civil War Era and a concentration in legal and constitutional history. The Boston Athenaeum recently awarded me a four week fellowship to conduct dissertation research on Civil War political pamphlets. Aside from my academic pursuits, I am working my dream job at Gettysburg National Military Park! I began as an intern and have worked the past six as a seasonal park ranger in interpretation."

Photo from "Daily Gettysburg" Blog.  See more images and video of Jim in action at their site.

Amy Sanderson, ('07) writes, "I am in my last semester in the iSchool at the University of Maryland, so come May 20th, I'll have my MLS with a specialty in Archives, Records, and Information Management. I have been working part time at the National Archives in College Park working on the modern military textual records processing team. The records I deal with are from the WWII and Korean War Eras but are still fascinating. I have also been working at the U.S. Government Information, Maps, and GIS Services Division at UM Libraries. They have a full set of the O.R. as well as the U.S. Serial Set, so I can read such things as Fitz John Porter's courts martial hearing to ease my CWES withdrawals. I have been looking for jobs in the Eastern and Central PA area and am getting married in the Spring of 2010. An article of mine (formally my senior thesis paper written for Dr. Guelzo) has been published in the Santa Fe Trail Association's Quarterly Newsletter and I am currently working on publishing another paper. My time in CWES has been invaluable to me and has aided me get to where I am today."

Sarah Moddel, ('08) writes: "I've been on a few interesting tracks since graduation. I moved up to the Boston area in order to work for the National Park Service at Adams NHP. Of course, spending so much time in the Civil War, I had to relearn my Revolutionary history and immersed myself in John Adams, John Quincy Adams as well as 2 later generations Charles Francis (Lincoln's ambassador to England) as well as Henry Adams and Brooks (the last of the Adamses to reside at Peacefield). HBO's miniseries made working there an interesting and fun experience. We became TV myth-busters. Since then, I've started in a dual-degree master's program in English and Children's literature at Simmons College. I'm hoping to continue to try to get involved in communications and now edging towards Children's books publishing or related field.

"My life has veered away from being directly involved in the Civil War which makes me sad, but I keep my experiences at Gettysburg and especially with CWES close to my heart. You were an invaluable part of my college career both in the classroom and the dorm room (I miss the A-ford!). I miss the town and the college more than I can say (which is only being made worse by all the Lincoln things on today! But I've seen Guelzo on "Looking for Lincoln" so I'm happy!). I plan to be back as soon as humanely possible and see what hat the office Lincoln might have on and if he's been keeping up with the vacuuming."

Civil War Era Studies graduate Jonathan Neu ('07) was recently featured in Gettysburg Magazine for his article, "The 72nd Pennsylvania Monument Controversy," a work which began as a paper written for Dr. Guelzo's CWES 421 Field Experiences course.

Read an update from Jonathan by clicking on the magazine cover to the left.

Congratulations Jonathan! 

The Civil War Era Studies Department would like to proudly announce the birth of Ainsley Anne Cousins, pictured at right with proud father James Cousins, Gettysburg Semester '05. 

Sarah Handley, Gettysburg Semester '05, gave birth at 5:15am on Saturday, September 27th 2008.  Ainsley weighed 7 lbs, 1 oz.

Our Greatest Congratulations to James and Sarah.  We welcome the newest member of our Civil War community!

Tom Paone, '07 writes to us:

"For my program [at George Mason University in Arlington, VA], I am required to have an internship for credit.  Yesterday I was just offered one with the Civil War Preservation Trust, and during my interview, they said that my CWES minor was a major factor in their decision.  ...They were looking for someone with an education in the American Civil War to help them with several projects for the upcoming year.  When they saw my degree was from Gettysburg College, and I had a minor in Civil War Era Studies, they called me for an interview.  So, I am proud to say that my Civil War Era Studies minor has definitley served me in my years after college, and that it may lead to a full time position."