BLOOMINGTON - As her sophomore year comes to an end at Indiana University in Bloomington, 2009 Plymouth High School graduate Kasey Greer will be heading to New York City and Washington D. C. to explore even more possibilities for a career that is history related.
Those who knew Greer in high school weren’t at all surprised when she became a Herman B. Wells Scholar, one of the highest academic honors bestowed by the university.
Greer is currently majoring in history and additionally working towards a certificate in the Liberal Arts and Management Program (LAMP). LAMP is in interdisciplinary, honors-level certificate program offered through the College of Arts and Sciences in cooperation with the Kelley School of Business.
Greer spent her summer in 2010 in an unpaid internship at the General Lew Wallace Study and Museum in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
“My main project was to research and answer a few questions about Lew Wallace to further the Museum’s interpretation for guests," said Greer. "These turned into two 15-page papers.”
Other projects included assisting in a day camp for junior high students and giving tours of the grounds and study to visitors. Greer said the experience was a great opportunity.
“The small size of the Museum allowed me to feel like my contributions were important to the institution," she said. "It also gave me a chance to see the various aspects involved in running a museum and to participate in many of them. The individuals I worked with went out of their way to guide my learning and make me feel like a true part of the team.”
Beginning June 19, she will be in New York for a week as a Gilder Lehrman One-Week Scholar.
“The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History offers this opportunity to 30 college sophomores and juniors as part of their History Scholars Program," she said. "They pay room and board as well as travel expenses. During the week, I will be able to meet with prominent historians and go on paid field trips to various archives and museums.”
Greer then heads for Washington D.C. for a six-week internship at the National Museum of American History, a part of the Smithsonian. While she doesn’t know exactly in what area she will be studying, she has learned that she will be working with the political curator, Dr. William Bird. As a part of the internship, she will be given housing at George Washington University and receive a weekly stipend for expenses.
The Mark Jacobs Smithsonian Institution Internship that she will be working under is sponsored by the American Political Items Collectors (APIC).
Greer continues to be appreciative of the community in which she grew up.
“I attribute much of my success to the family, friends, and mentors who have supported me over the years.” She said, “My parents (John and Krista Greer) always encouraged me to explore the subjects that interested me and taught me life skills such as hard work and perseverance.”
“For the APIC internship especially, my political experiences with my grandfather, James Greer, got me interested in political history and the items it leaves behind (like campaign buttons).”
"I also had mentors helping me along the way.” she said. “At PHS, Mrs. Allison Hargrove made history come alive for me and reignited my passion for something I'd always liked. Here at college, I have several professors who have encouraged my development as a historian and offered me a variety of opportunities. My circle of friends has always supported me, and their success has inspired me to work harder towards attaining my own.”
Greer still finds time to work with the Indiana Magazine of History as a research assistant; The Undergraduate Scholar; Indiana University History Club; and the Hutton Honors College Mentor Program.
This story appears courtesy of the Pilot News
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