Class Rank: Senior
Major and Minor:
Art History, Japanese Studies minor
Hometown: Fairmont, WV
Why did you choose to attend WVU?
I chose to attend WVU because it was close to home, but also felt like a good opportunity to grow beyond my hometown and get to be on my own. It felt like a good "happy medium" between staying in Fairmont and moving further away.
What do you like about your major and your WVU experience?
My favorite thing about my major has been how small and close-knit our program is. I feel like all of my professors know me on a personal level, and being able to have so much individual time with them has made all the difference for me. I think if I had been in a bigger program I would not feel nearly as successful as I do now, because getting to work with faculty one-on-one has really helped me step out of my comfort zone and take on projects I would not have been able to by myself.
What advice would you give to prospective students considering attending WVU's
College of Creative Arts?
I think the biggest piece of advice I have for incoming students is to not feel too tied down to any one thing or path. I came to WVU as a Graphic Design major, and then when I first decided to switch to Art History, I wanted to do 17th-century European art. Now, I've just spent the last few years learning about ancient Maya art and am about to go off to do my Master's in Japanese art. So, be open to changing your path if it feels right for you! You don't have to be forever married to whatever major you first picked on your application or the topic you write your first paper about.
Have you recently received any awards or scholarships? Have you recently participated
in any competitions, productions, performances or exhibitions?
This school year, I've received funding from the Margaret Tavenner Rajam Art History Endowment to support my travel to the SECAC and CAA conferences in Baltimore and New York City, where I was lucky to be able to present research with Professor Megan Leight. I also received funding from the Rajam fund last year to travel to San Gemini, Italy to attend the San Gemini Preservation Studies summer abroad program, where I took courses in paper preservation and restoration. I've been grateful that the College has been able to support so much travel for us students, since so much of our discipline revolves around seeing works of art in-person!