A History Major's International Experience on Campus (by Shannon Conheady)

The most common way that we, as students, learn about history is through textbooks and classrooms. It is often said that history is boring and pointless to study. As a student of history I beg to differ: history is all around us and the best way to see that is to interact with it. It happens every day; is your personal day going to make it into the books? Maybe not, but that’s no reason not to give the study of history a second thought. 

This summer I have had the opportunity to work with students from Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia through the Study of United States Institutes program, sponsored by the U.S. State Department. The History Department at St. Bonaventure University is hosting one of the institutes on U.S. History and Government. Twenty students are living here on campus for four weeks and have the chance to study, explore, and discover both New York State and United States history. I have also learned much about the cultures of these three countries and their unique histories. I have read about the countries in Latin America throughout my education but interacting with students who originate from these countries has been the best way to actually gain information about the local peoples. For the last three weeks, three other mentors and I have traveled with the students to a variety of locations. We returned from four days in Chicago, Il. last week and will be traveling to New York City soon. The students have participated in various classes on campus relating to the study of U.S. history and government taught by a variety of professors and staff members.

A Great Milestone for Our Blog: 10,000 Views!

Bona History Grad in the News

Jeff Connors, a 2001 Bona history grad, was recently featured in The Buffalo News for his work at Lake Shore High School. The article focuses on Connors's teaching of Lake Shore's innovative freshman seminar. Read more here!

My Time at Bonaventure as a History Major (Jason Mahar)

The transition from high school to college was a unique one that was greatly aided by the Giant Step Program. Thanks to the program, as a senior in high school I took both Greek and Roman Civilization at SBU. Taking these classes served two purposes: one, getting me acclimated to college classes, and, two, making me more comfortable at SBU. When it came time to decide which college to choose, the Giant Step Program and my familiarity with Saint Bonaventure University played a decisive factor in my choice.   

                History was a natural choice for me because I had always been interested in human interactions. Studying history at SBU gave me the chance to see the world through the eyes of different cultures and more thoroughly understand the world today. Learning about Middle Eastern history with Fr. Calabria, Latin American history with Dr. Horowitz, and the Early National Period with Dr. Robbins was particularly interesting. Reading a biography of Hamilton in Dr. Robbins’s class started my fascination with financial history. This led me to read more about Robert Morris and how money flowed in the late 1700s to early 1800s. 

Senior Jason Mahar presented Paper at Phi Alpha Theta Conference

Senior History major Jason Mahar presented a paper entitled "Albert Gallatin: Visionary Clouded by Debt" at the regional conference of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, on Saturday, April 20. The event was held at Ramapo College in New Jersey and featured a day of the best student history papers from colleges in the northeast. 

Jared Kausner, a SBU History Alum, Returns to Bonaventure

Jared Kausner (right) with Matt Dirisio, another SBU History Alum.

Jared Kausner graduated from SBU in 2008 with BA in History as well as a commission as a Second Lieutenant that he received through the SBU ROTC program.  After leaving Bonaventure, Jared spent four years working with the Army in various assignments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan.  Throughout his time in the Army, Jared was always using the analytical skills that the SBU History Department had taught him.  The ability to research effectively, come to sound conclusions, and cite examples are all valuable skills that are unique to students of History and were critical to Jared’s success in the military.  In late 2012, Jared reverted to the Army National Guard where he continues to serve his country.  In March 2013, Jared returned to St. Bonaventure where he serves as the Assistant Professor of Military Science for the Army ROTC Program.

History Majors Inducted in Phi Alpha Theta

On Thursday, April 18, 2013, six history majors formally became members of Phi Alpha Theta, a prestigious national history society. The new members are: Shannon Conheady, Harrison Leone, Jason Mahar, Alexandra McCumiskey, Samuel Moore, and Maria Swieciki. Here are a few photos from the induction ceremony!
 

Alexandra McCumiskey

Maria Swieciki

Jason Mahar

Shannon Conheady 

Harrison Leone

Sam Moore