Alumni Testimonials
Jeffrey Attridge (below), who went on for a PhD in Anthropology at the University of Virginia, describes how his coursework, curatorial experience at VT’s Moss Arts Center, and internship at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology prepared him to pursue his future goals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrtAGa0Qa14&feature=youtu.be
Graduate student, Briana Blanchard (below), discusses the flexibility in Virginia Tech’s MA in Material Culture and Public Humanities graduate program, as well as the skills she gained through her coursework and practical experiences writing audio guides for art installations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7xu2Txpq5Y&feature=youtu.be
Bryanna Tramontana and Lauren Henson (below),who interned at the Ringling Museum and the National Cryptologic Museum (respectively), discuss how the interdisciplinary nature of Virginia Tech’s MA in Material Culture and Public Humanities prepared them to pursue careers in educational programming and arts leadership. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Em8m7YlCg&feature=youtu.be
Jackie Sanders (below), who earned her BFA in Studio Art through the School of Visual Art and her MA in Material Culture and Public Humanities through VT’s Accelerated MA Program, describes how the MCPH program’s emphasis on theory helped her situate creative, archival, and exhibitions work in broader historical and ideological contexts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nHpcTz5Gz0&feature=youtu.be
Mary Kate Claytor (below), a historical interpreter at Natural Bridge State Park, talks about how her experiences in the Material Culture and Public Humanities program at Virginia Tech prepared her for the challenges of working in the field of public history.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJg7XhBsS2s&feature=youtu.be
Meggin Hicklin (below), discusses the integration of theory and practice in Virginia Tech’s MA in Material Culture and Public Humanities. Her career at Virginia Tech’s Center for the Arts grew out of hands-on experience in conservation, acquisition, donor relations, and research at the Taubman Museum in Roanoke.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rwq1dDLal0&feature=youtu.be
Samantha Parish (below), a former auctioneer and antiques dealer, discusses her teaching experience as a Material Culture and Public Humanities graduate student, as well as the cataloguing and videography skills developed during research about African American railroad workers and Virginia Tech’s Corps of Cadets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaGm2fbcYXg&feature=youtu.be
Grayson Van Beuren (below), who earned undergraduate degrees in art history and history at Virginia Tech, suggests how methods and theory learned as a Material Culture and Public Humanities student apply to a broad range of cultural artifacts, from political cartoons to microcomputers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0gA1g4Ebvk&feature=youtu.be