By Eric Guzman '12
For some senior history majors, finishing their yearlong capstone projects didn’t end once they turned in their papers. Students from Siena’s History Honor Society were asked to present their research at the Phi Alpha Theta Biennial Convention in Orlando, Florida. Representing the History Department were seniors Brian Dorrian ’12, Tara Keough ’12, George Tehan ’12 and Alyssa Washburn-Moriarty ’12. They each presented capstone at the convention, which was attended by nearly 200 undergraduates from all over the United States.
“It’s not often that we are around students who enjoy history as much we do. It was nice to be in that type of atmosphere,” said Dorrian. His presentation was called, “The Spirit of 1783: Inside the Loyalist Claims Commission and the Treatment of American Loyalist Refugees in England.”
The convention was broken up into various sessions where students presented their research to their peers. A professor moderated each panel and asked questions of the students, testing their ability to defend their papers. “This particular setting is where your work can be critiqued,” said Associate Professor of History Barbara Reeves-Ellington, Ph.D. who accompanied the students on the trip. “It gives the work credibility.”
Keough presented her paper, “Gender and Power in the Holocaust.” She said the convention prepared her for the future. “Defending our papers has made us more courageous and we can leave Siena knowing that we have a strong foundation to build upon,” said Keough. “Getting support from professors and students from around the country reassures us that our work is credible. It is really empowering.”
George Tehan commended Siena’s History Department for his positive experience at the conference as he presented his paper, “Fascism in Belgium: The Rexist Movement.” “We really do have a great program here. It prepares you thoroughly in your field from research to the writing process,” said Tehan. “The program is very personalized and we feel supported in all that we do.”
Washburn-Moriarty also successfully defended her work when she presented her paper, “Because We Were Women: Sexual Violence against Women in the Holocaust, 1935-1045.”
Reeves-Ellington spoke on behalf of the entire History Department when she expressed how proud she was to see the students prepare for the national conference and serve as ambassadors of the Siena College community. This kind of student-faculty engagement sets a high standard for the College and is a cornerstone of Siena’s new Strategic Plan, Living our Tradition.
