BA in History

Megan Glenn, 2017

Megan Glenn

How did you decide on the History major?

I have loved history since I was in elementary school. As an avid reader, I was always particularly interested in reading books about history, as well as watching documentaries and films on historical subjects. After reading Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl when I was in the third grade, I knew I was hooked. History classes throughout my middle and high school years were always my favorite, and when I got to college, I decided that there would be no better way to spend four years than to study something I have passion for! 

Are you minoring or double majoring in anything else? If so, how do the two work together – or separately?

I am minoring in Anthropology, which has a lot of commonalities with History. Anthropology is defined as "the study of humankind," and History is defined as "the study of past events, particularly in human affairs”. Both disciplines obviously have a lot of cross-over in what they study, and using anthropology to study humanity and societies can help make me a better historian, while understanding history makes me a better anthropologist.

 What have you learned in a history class that really surprised you/changed your perspective?

 I have had a number of interesting history classes at GMU! Some of my favorites have been Professor Hooper’s Survey of African History course and Professor Landsberg’s History of Film course. In Prof. Hooper’s class, I learned a great deal about pre-colonial African history, and came out of the class understanding much more about the preconceptions people have about pre-colonial Africa, and was able to be more informed on a continent I previously did not know much about. In Prof. Landsberg’s course, I not only was able to watch a number of classic American movies, like The Searchers and Rosemary’s Baby, but also learned to analyze them in terms of their cultural significance during the time period in which they were produced. This class changed the way I watch and appreciate movies. I believe both of these classes have made me better able to analyze sources and express my results in writing.

Tell us about your dream occupation…

My dream occupation would be working in a museum! I have always enjoyed visiting museums, and would love to be able to spend my professional career in one. I would particularly love to stay in the Washington, D.C. area, and get a job at one of the Smithsonian museums, or at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where I interned last year.

Have you had any internships? Or interesting jobs or volunteer experience? Tell us about it/them.

Last spring, I spent ten weeks as a Visitor Services intern at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. These ten weeks were the best, and most life-changing, weeks of my life. I learned so much about myself while I was there and left knowing that I wanted to work with the public in a museum setting, telling people about and sharing my love of history. I also was able to interact with Holocaust survivors who volunteer at the museum, an experience that cannot be sufficiently described to anyone who has never spoken to a survivor. I made many friends with both the other interns as well as with the employees at the museum, and consider some of them my closest friends. I hope that I can return to the museum after graduation and continue to learn and inform the public about the Holocaust.

I also spent three and a half weeks in July 2015 studying at Exeter College at Oxford University, through its International Summer School program. I was enrolled in two courses in the History, Politics, and Society program, and learned about British history from 1900 to 1945 as well as sociological changes that have taken place in Britain since 1945. While studying at Oxford, I was privileged to meet people from all over the world, and spent time learning about other cultures. Though my time there was short, I made lasting personal connections, and hope to remain in contact with the people I met there.

 Any accomplishments you’re proud of? Opportunities you’ve taken advantage of? Brag a little!

Something I am very proud of is the fact that I have made Dean’s List in all five semesters I have been enrolled at George Mason! Additionally, although it was only a couple of weeks, the time I spent studying abroad at Oxford is an experience that I treasure and something I would highly recommend. I am also very passionate about being a Patriot, and love attending events on campus and feeling the school spirit. I frequently take advantage of GMU's proximity to Washington, D.C., and love spending the day taking the metro into the city and exploring a new museum or neighborhood I have never been to before!

Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.

Although people probably know that I love animals and Disney, they may be surprised to learn that I have volunteered at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter and that I’ve been to Walt Disney World 14 times! I also have a sister who is exactly 2 years and 1 day younger than I am – our birthdays are May 8 and May 9!