Where Are They Now?
Patrice Davis (former senior student assistant, a.k.a. Number One)
Patty Davis at her desk at the Ohio |
How my work at the Northern Michigan University and Central Upper Peninsula Archives influenced me:
I was first introduced to the Northern Michigan University and Central Upper Peninsula Archives by an email I received during the first semester of my freshman year that was sent to all history majors advertising an introduction to archives class. I had never been to an archives, let alone used one, and was not even aware that there was one on campus. However, since I did not know what I wanted to do with a history degree, but I knew I didn’t want to teach, I decided to take the class. Through my work in the class, I was able to see the connection that the average person has to the past, and I learned that everyone contributes, even in a small way, to history. I enjoyed the class so much that the next year I got a job at the University Archives.
Starting my sophomore year, until I graduated, I worked in the archives as a student assistant. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to pursue a career as an archivist. I cannot begin to explain how beneficial the work that I did at the University Archives was to me. The experience I gained from my years at the University Archives is invaluable; I was able to gain knowledge in all the processes that make an archives function. This gave me a head start in all my future ventures. If not for my experience at the University Archives, it is unlikely that I would be doing what I am today.
Jason Woolman
Jason Woolman at his desk as the Records |
Jason is a 2006 graduate of Northern Michigan University (BA International Studies) and is currently working on his masters in Archival Studies, with a focus on First Nations records, at the University of British Columbia. He does consulting work on oral records and archives for St. Georges School and preservation and consulting work for the Vancouver Holocaust Education Center. Currently, Jason is working as a Records Management Assistant for the Musqueam Indian Band. His duties include laying the foundation for Musqueam's records management and archival programs. He is also co-authoring a manuscript with Marcus Robyns on adapting an archival style documentation plan for managing NMU's records.
My time at NMU
My first introduction to an archives did not come until my senior year at NMU. I had known about archives but never visited one. Part of Dr. Defonso's Historical Thinking and Writing class was an assignment that necessitated use of the NMU archives. That is when I was first introduced to Marcus Robyns. Marcus explained a bit about archives and their function with great humor and from that moment I was hooked.
The next semester I signed up for the introduction to archiving class and was able to set up an internship in the archives at the same time. The class laid the foundation of archival theory from various points of view and the internship, as well as advice from Marcus, granted me first hand experience working in an archives and handling records. It was from this internship and working with Marcus that I decided that I wanted to be an archivist.
My time at the NMU archives allowed me to enter the Master of Archival Studies program at the University of British Columbia where the benefit of the skills and ideals I learned at the archives cannot overstated. The knowledge I gleaned from working with Marcus allowed me to not just make sense of but also to question the various theories and practices we were being taught and to synthesize them into something practical.
My time at NMU was also the start of collaboration that lasts to this day. I correspond regularly with Marcus and he has been a great help in offering professional advice. We are also currently co-authoring a paper adapting an archival style documentation plan for managing NMU's records. My time at NMU has been and continues to be a favorite and continually beneficial experience.
Katelyn Weber
Katelyn Weber at her desk as the assistant |
Katelyn Weber is a 2007 Northern Michigan University graduate (B.S in History). She has worked for several museums in various capacities including exhibit development, research, accessions, archival management, and library services. She has worked for varying institutions at the university, private, and state levels. She is currently employed as the Assistant Research Librarian at the John M. Longyear Research Library at the Marquette County History Museum where her duties include archival/library collections management, genealogical research, and promotional program development. She will soon be employed by the State of Michigan Division of History, Arts, and Libraries at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee as a museum assistant.
How my work at the Northern Michigan University and Central Upper Peninsula Archives influenced me:
I first learned of the Northern Michigan University and Central Upper Peninsula Archives when I was required to take an archival management course for my public history minor at NMU. I knew NMU had an archive but had no idea the types of services they provided to both the student population and the community. I later became employed by the archives as a researcher. The skills I obtained in research, critical thinking, problem solving, and utilization of archival materials has proven invaluable to me in fulfilling the responsibilities of my current and future positions in the workplace.
Every day on the job I am confronted with a unique set of problems to solve and I must provide individuals with prompt, concise answers to his or her questions by understanding archival/library operations and resources. My experience at the archives allowed me to familiarize myself with the wide-ranging issues that confront archivists and/or research librarians. Without that experience I would certainly not be as well equipped to anticipate the individual needs of customers in order to respond quickly and accordingly. I believe my position with the University Archives has provided me with skills that I need to stand out in my profession.
A.J. (Arthur) Mikus
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A.J. (Arthur) Mikus on the job as the manager of the NMU Starbucks |
A.J. Mikus (“Arthur”) is a 2006 Northern Michigan University graduate (BS, History). A.J. was a student intern during the summer of 2005. While interning, A.J. created a web exhibit for the Archives. The exhibit documents student protests on the campus of NMU during the late 1960s and early 1970s. During the web site’s creation, A.J. helped digitize many of the Archives' photographs and articles on the subject. A.J. is now married and has a 1 year old son. His wife is currently expecting twin girls. A.J. manages the Starbucks on campus and hopes to continue with his Masters degree once life slows down a little. He enjoys the Upper Peninsula's wilderness and spending time with his family. History continues to be a passion of A.J.'s, but he concedes that working in the history field , trying to stay in the area, supporting a family, and paying off student loans is a difficult endeavor.
How my work at the Northern Michigan University and Central Upper Peninsula Archives influenced me:
Like many, I was not aware what an archives really was before becoming involved with it academically. I think many people bring in their own prejudices of what an archives should look like or how an archivist should look. I think movies create a certain image for people, and I also think that many just lump the whole place in with the library. If there is one thing that has been burned into my consciousness by Marcus Robyns, it is that archivists are so much cooler than librarians.
My first experience with the Archives was through Dr. Kendall’s HS 200 Historical Thinking and Writing course. I learned an appreciation for the importance of archives and record keeping in general. It even prompted me to keep a journal in the hope that someday it may shed insight into the world and local events that I am experiencing firsthand.
The Archives also taught me how to distinguish useful information from junk when I took Marcus Robyns’ AIS 300 Archival Management course. These skills, as well as others, continue to apply to my personal correspondence and the business records I keep. I hope someday to use methods learned during my time at NMU to progress into museum work and eventually into a classroom curriculum.
Robin Kennedy
Robin Kennedy graduated from Northern Michigan University with a BA in History and German and a Masters in English and has many years experience assisting researchers in local historical museums, at Northern Michigan University, and as a volunteer in Family History Centers. Mrs. Kennedy has been to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah and has taken classes in German research. She has served as a Project Archivist and the acting Archivist at NMU. Robin is the volunteer Director of the Iron Mountain/ Kingsford Family History Center in Dickinson County, Michigan. She is currently free-lancing as a Project Archivist.
Carrie Fries
Carrie Fries lives and works in beautiful Marquette, MI. She graduated NMU with a BA in History and a minor in Public History. Currently, she is the director of the Marquette Maritime museum and lighthouse. Presently, a huge part of her job is working on restoring the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. She is also a member of the Michigan Archival Association, the McClintock-Darter/Dance Committee and is an advocate for the Gift of Life Michigan.
How my work at the Northern Michigan University and Central Upper Peninsula Archives influenced me:
My first encounter with the NMU Archives was when I enrolled in an Archival Management course for my Public History minor. I had been in a few different archives before, but had no clue how to actually use it properly. To put it simply, that class changed my life. I was struggling to choose a major and was taking different classes to see where my interest lied. My world was open up to primary sources, critical thinking and writing, and archival management. I learned I could easily sit down with someone's most cherished papers and get lost in their story for hours. That was when I knew that I wanted to be a History major and work in the Public History field.
After the class, I was asked by Marcus to help him co-author an article for the Michigan Historical Review on the formation of a teacher's union at Northern. I did research, oral interviews and then wrote my part of the article. It was a thrill to see my name in a historical periodical! It was an experience I cherish to this day. I was hooked on the archives and took a regular job as a student research assistant.
I was very fortunate to land a job at the Marquette Maritime Museum the week after I graduated from NMU. This is my eighth year there and I am still learning. Even though I work at a museum, I still use all the same skills I acquired at the archives every day. I found my love for history at the NMU archives and I will forever be grateful to Marcus and the archives for that.
