from History Grads 

Jon Clapperton, BA UNBC, MA University of Victoria, PhDcandidate,University ofSaskatchewan

My undergraduate years at UNBC and the history department (1999-2003)was a thoroughly pleasurable and formative time of my life. The historydepartment offered much that other universities did not. Class sizes wereexceptionally small, thus allowing one to connect with and receive the benefitsof personal help from the history professors. The professors themselves wereextremely knowledgeable, were all good lecturers, and were able to meet with meone on one when required. Furthermore, when considered as a whole, they cover awide range of geographical and topical fields. I focused on Canadian andindigenous history, and in this area the history department is complemented byscholars in the departments of geography and political science who alsospecialize in these fields. The history department is also ahead of some otheruniversities because of its history 200 and 300 classes, which introducestudents to the actual “doing” of history, as well as the analysis ofhistoriography.

The history department also offers an honours program, whichI completed and would highly recommend to any other students, especially if oneis thinking about pursing graduate studies. The introduction to historicaltheory, the writing of an extended (and possibly publishable) research paper,and having to defend one’s thesis prepared me for work on a MA. Other studentswho did not take advantage of such a program struggled in graduate school atfirst, especially when it came to historical theory. Perhaps most importantly,the UNBC history program and its professors inspired me to continue on with arewarding academic career, and I am now working on a PhD and have been able toparticipate in a number of major historical research projects, including theGreat Unsolved Mysteries in Canada History website. I am also the project co-coordinatorfor theUniversity ofSaskatchewan Native Research Databaseproject, which will (hopefully) be launched this June. None of theseaccomplishments would have been possible without the support of the professorsat UNBC and the high quality of courses and education offered by the historydepartment. 

Yvan Prkachin, BA Honours 2006

I enteredthe UNBC History program in the fall of 2001. I had been interested in history for a number of years, but as I beganmy undergraduate degree, I was still unsure about what major I would ultimatelypursue; as a result, I also pursued a minor in biology.  My initial impression of the history facultywas one of a group of caring, excited scholars who were as devoted toencouraging students in their research as challenging them in the classroom.  My introductory classes in Canadian, Americanand European history encouraged me to abandon my preconceptions about the past,and develop my talents for research and critical thinking.  I quickly abandoned my biology to focussolely on history.

At the endof my second year, I received a letter from the then-chair of the historydepartment, Gordon Martel, asking me if I would be interested in pursuing an honorsdegree.  It is worth noting that beingthe recipient of this level of personal attention is quite rare in other universities(most of my present colleagues had to make a special request to enter an honorsprogram).  In my third year I enteredinto a deeply stimulating professional relationship with Dr. Jonathan Swainger,who helped mould my initial topic suggestion of “something about drugs” into anexamination of the enforcement of drug laws in ruralBritish Columbia in the early 20^thcentury.  During my third and forth year,Dr. Swainger encouraged and challenged me to expand my interest in history intoa genuine fascination with the research process, and I think it would be fairto say that I have never learned more than during that period.  The product of that honors thesis iscurrently under review for publication, an opportunity which I suspect I neverwould have had at another institution.

Because Iheld a part-time job during my undergraduate degree, I decided to take an extrayear to finish.  In the space of thatextra year, I was given the opportunity to present at the 2005 BC Studies/BCPSAconference, to accept research-assistant positions from Dr. Mary-Ellen Kelm andDr. Theodore Binnema, and to take up a teaching assistant position with Dr.Jacqueline Holler. All of these experiences gave me a level of involvement with the historydepartment that I would have been unlikely to experience at anotherinstitution.  At the same time, I wasable to expand my research interests in a series of thought-provokingupper-division classes with Professors Binnema, Aileen Espritu, Rhonda Sempleand William Morrison.  My wonderfulexperience with the UNBC History department ultimately led me to apply for andreceive a Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council.  I am deeply indebtedto every member of the department for their help in preparing me for the SSHRC applicationprocess, and any credit I deserve for that award is due ten-times over to them.  Without wishing to sound melodramatic, Ithink I can say with absolute certainty that my present career has benefitenormously from by time with the UNBC faculty, and that I have would recommendit to anyone without reservation.

Yvan Prkachin is currently working on his M.A. in History at the University of Guelph.   

Roy Toomey, MA 2006

My Masters Program experience at UNBC has been great. I really enjoyed studying history at UNBC.  The facilities provideexcellent study and research opportunities, whether in the library or in theclassroom.  The library and research staff is always willing to help, andif the required documents are not housed at UNBC, the library staff always doesits best to bring in whatever is requested.  The professors and otherfaculty members in the history department at UNBC are exemplary.  All arevery professional, very helpful, and all have a deep passion for the study ofhistory.  It is very easy to study hard and do well with so many caringindividuals around you.  Another great thing about UNBC is the fact thatit is a smaller university, meaning that the student body is small, creating amore personal and intimate atmosphere.  As a graduate student, you come toknow most of your fellow graduate students and professors on a first name basis. The UNBC history department also has a good Teaching Assistant program forgraduate students.  TA work pays well and provides important teachingexperience for graduate students who hope to instruct at a college oruniversity in the future.  What else can I say?  UNBC has itall.  If I could teach history at UNBC with my MA I would, because I lovethis school.  After seven years studying at UNBC, it has come to feel likehome.  Having graduated, it feels strange, almost bittersweet, no longerstudying at UNBC.

MarkSarrazin,MA 2007

I have been a student at UNBC since 1999, graduating in 2004 with a BAHonours in History, and subsequently enrolling in the History Program as aMaster’s student. Studying History at UNBC has been both challenging and enlightening,developing marketable skills and cultivating a greater understanding of theworld around me.  What I value most about the History program is thevibrant community and the extraordinary support and encouragement from facultyand staff. 

Practically speaking, studying History at UNBC has taught me to thinkcritically and express myself effectively. The relatively small classesprovided me with many opportunities to practice my debating and public speakingskills, allowing me to try myself against both my fellow students andprofessors. 

The Honours program was just getting started when I enrolled in it, and itis a decision that I certainly will not regret. Not only did the Honours degreeoffer me the chance to engage in more substantial historical study, it alsoadded value to my degree. When I was applying to various graduate programsaroundCanada,my Honours degree proved extremely worthwhile as I was accepted to every schoolthat I applied to. While I originally thought that I would have to leave UNBCto find a quality graduate program, I learned that big things do indeed come insmall packages. UNBC offered me the most attractive offer of all theuniversities I applied to, and combined with its excellent group of faculty andthe location of the university itself, it was the ideal choice for my Master’sstudies.  

Teacher

I'm currently enrolled in the Bachelor ofEducation program at UNBC and am in my final year. I will be using myHistory degree to teach high school.

(L.T.) 050919

Government Program Officer 

TheMonday morning following my convocation from UNBC I started my firstreal job, a job that didn't end in four months. This job was with HumanResources and Skills Development where I was a Program Officer. My jobwas to write and manage agreements for the Federal government. Whilenothing could have prepared me for having to be at work by 8:30a.m.everyday for the rest of my life, my History degree definitely taughtme valuable skills that I used every day. A degree in History preparedme to work with deadlines, analyze complex documents, and present themin a way that was clear to others. My degree enabled me to successfullyrecommend projects, resent arguments, and defend ideas both verballyand in writing. Completing a History degree also teaches you valuableresearch skills. Even though I wasn't doing research in a library, Iwas easily able to search through policies and procedures manuals andonline guides to find information.

(T.M.)  050921 

Prince George Oral History

Asa mature student, obtaining employment after receiving my degree hasnot been a top priority. History and family research have been apassion of mine for over forty years. Acquiring a history degree fromUNBC has given me superior research and writing skills to continue myfamily research as well as to be involved in the collecting of PrinceGeorge history. I am presently a board member with the Prince GeorgeOral History Group. This group records and transcribes Prince George'shistory from the people who live in this area. We are able to house ouroriginal tapes and transcripts at the Northern BC Archives at UNBC.Copies of the transcripts are also placed at the College of NewCaledonia and the Bob Harkins Branch of the Prince George PublicLibrary. I believe as a mature student, my history degree has expandedmy intertwine. Life experiences have increased my knowledge and the wayI view life, however, I believe that during my undergrad years I wasable to share these experiences with my fellow students as well aslearn from all of them.

(E.H.) 050920

Northern Area Artist 

Howdoes my history degree tie into my life? My historical interests werein the area of northern issues and so is my art. Also, I was a longterm member and representative of an environmental group on the Landand Resources Management Plan. We had an interest in treatynegotiations and environmental impacts of industry. These things, ofcourse, are ongoing.

(C.L.) 051228