2011-12 Students

Alison Deplonty became infatuated with public history during the summer of 2008 when she first worked at the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site; she spent the next two summers at ECNHS and Banting House National Historic Site of Canada respectively.  Over these three years she held summer student positions working with the collections, assisting with event planning, acting as a tour guide, and as a historical interpreter.  In May of 2009 she was in Peru for an archaeological field school; this past May she returned to Peru to assist with lab work for the dig and to learn some Spanish.  After completing a BA in Anthropology and History at UWO Alison has moved on to a MA in Archaeology, focusing on the usage of archaeological site museums in Peru.  She hopes to find work in a museum, doing fact checking, or at a historic site in the future.  Alison is very excited to work with the Public History program and is grateful for the opportunity to bridge her two interests.

Douglas McGlynn graduated from Dundee University, Scotland, in 1993 with a Bachelors in Architecture and has recently graduated with distinction from Western, receiving an Honours BA with a Specialization in History. His interest in Public History was piqued after participating in a work/study program that allowed him to combine his architectural knowledge with his historical research skills to aid in the re-creation of a year in a Londoner's life through his diary using GIS mapping. By utilizing his knowledge in 3-D software and his architectural background, Douglas hopes to bring to life elements of of social history that are sometimes overlooked, providing a more personal hands-on interpretation to the public through interactive and manipulative displays. He also has an interest in the development of architectural historical displays through online resources highlighting local heritage sites.

Sarah Nagy completed her BA at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2010, where she developed an interdisciplinary approach to under-standing the past by majoring in North American archaeology and history. Her interest in public history arose from  summers spent working at the Backus-Page House Museum, where she assisted with exhibit development and educational programming. She has also worked at the Waterloo Regional Children's Museum. In 2008, Sarah participated in an archaeological field school at Ruthven Park National Historic Site, and during her last year at Laurier, worked as a historical archaeology laboratory assistant. She also had the opportunity to present a paper at the 2010 Tri-University Undergraduate History Conference. She plans to pursue a career in the heritage field and looks forward to continued involvement in public education.

Sushima Naraine graduated with an Honours BA with a Specialist Major in History from the University of Toronto. She is an avid dancer and believer in interactive programming within cultural institutions, and has combined these two passions to develop activity-based learning in places like the Royal Ontario Museum and the Markham Museum. Her interest in history as an interactive topic started in high school when one her history teachers developed a French Revolution simulation in order to project the necessary themes to the class. Since then, Sushima has applied the principle of "re-living cultural history" to each and every activity whether its reproducing Chinese calligraphy or mimicking the task of early Canadian butter-making. As a Summer Club instructor at the Royal Ontario Museum, Sushima has had the opportunity to experience how the use of exhibit pieces and artifacts can directly impact the perspective of a student or visitor. She is excited to be pursuing a Public History degree in order to develop such engaging hands-on programs for both kids and adults in what will hopefully be a future Museum Programmer position.

As a recent graduate from Brock University's history program, Adrian Petry has been described as a 'creative and passionate historian and interpreter' by his supervisors and colleagues. Adrian has spent the past six years as a Natural Heritage Education interpreter with Ontario Parks at Murphy's Point, Bronte Creek and Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Parks. He has committed himself to sharing history with others by connecting the past with the experiences and emotions of people in the present. While his work at parks calls for interpretation of natural and cultural history, the interests that are closest to his heart are the study of the industrial, urban and social histories of the Rideau and Welland Canals between 1840-1910 and life and work on the late Victorian farm in Ontario.

Laura Piticco graduated from McMaster University with an Honors History degree and holds a post-graduate certificate in Early American History, Material Culture and Museum Studies from the College of William and Mary. Her main area of study encompasses America’s foundations up to and including its colonial period.  She has worked at the Jamestown Rediscovery Project, and spent a semester interning with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s Electronic Field Trips department, which produces half hour programs that focus on different aspects of American history and are broadcast into classrooms across the country. She would like to find a way to bring the same type of interactive historical educational experience to schoolchildren in Canada.

Heather Rivet discovered her passion for history while working at The Henry Ford – Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan.  She started as an historic presenter, and then moved into the creative programs department, working on the planning and implementation of special events.  It was during this time she attended Eastern Michigan University, completing an undergraduate degree in History and Historic Preservation.  Following graduation, she had two invaluable internships in program planning at the Henry Ford Estate and at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.  After completing her graduate degree, she plans to pursue a career in public history at a museum or with the national park service, focusing on interpretation, event planning, and educational programming.

After completing a Bachelors degree with honors at Queens and a Masters degree at Baylor University, Dave Sikkema has spent the last two years teaching history at a private classical school in Texas.  Teaching elementary and secondary students was exciting, but his interest in public history, sparked at Baylor by classes in Oral History and projects on community parks, attracted him to the program offered at UWO.  In the future, he hopes to explore the intersection between oral history narratives and environmental history and work with organizations involved in historical consulting.

Lindsay VanDyk was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta. Her fascination with history began at an early age, ultimately leading to a BA in History with Great Distinction in 2010.  She has several years of volunteer experience, assisting the museum educator at the Galt Museum and Archives with research, programming and exhibit planning. In 2008, she had the opportunity to participate in an Applied Study at the Galt Museum, where she designed an educational resource for grade five students that introduced them to working with and interpreting primary source documents and archival materials.  The experience of relating historical knowledge in a hands-on, practical manner piqued her interest in the opportunities available in the public history field. It is her eventual goal to work within a museum or other public setting where she can develop programs for young students that teach historical appreciation and skills.

Hilary Wasserman graduated with distinction from The University of Western Ontario, receiving an Honours BA with a Specialization in History. She received the Sarah Ann Martin Memorial History Award during her second year of undergrad. Since the age of sixteen, Hilary has been teaching swimming and dancing to children and young adults. She plans to pursue a career in public history at a museum, hoping to create interactive exhibits that can be used as a teaching aid and create public discourse.