It was fall 2012 when I walked up the steps of UNH Manchester for the first time and sat down in a little classroom with less than thirteen students. Right on time, at 5:00 p.m. sharp, my professor walked in, wrote his name on the board with chalk, Professor John Cerullo, Historical Thinking. He proceeded to brush the chalk off of his hands and introduce himself. As I read through the syllabus, my heart pounded and my mind wondered if I could handle the work but as the class continued, my outlook changed. He spoke with passion and encouraged his students to participate in the discussion. In less than three hours, one man, in one classroom, helped me find my passion for history.
I had the honor to interview my history professors, the same three men that have inspired so many students before me. I, along with many of my colleagues, wanted to know more about the men whose capability to motivate students is incomparable.
Professor Jack Resch, received his Ph.D from Ohio State University. He came to this school in 1972, when it was still called Merrimack Valley College, a branch of the University of New Hampshire. Professor John Cerullo joined Professor Resch shortly thereafter, in 1981. Believe or not, Professor Cerullo started off teaching Economics here at UNH Manchester. Professor Robert Macieski started teaching in 1994, after Merrimack Valley College became UNH Manchester. Before arriving here, he studied at Boston College and worked at various museums. Professor Macieski has always had an interest in public history. As they were all reminiscing about their beginnings, Professor Cerullo added, “We all came in as the college was learning to walk.”
Merrimack Valley College became UNH Manchester in 1985 and the history program took form. Professor Resch reflected, “We had the support of the UNH history department and several members from the history department began teaching here. They worked very collaboratively with us and the program. It started quite well.” (Check out this video which goes over the college history.)
What is interesting about this university is there exists no solid lines between departments and specialties are not clearly defined. Professor Cerullo described, “It has been good, and it has been exciting. When you are in a department, sometimes you can feel boxed in. We don’t have walls here and it has benefited the school. There is no one to tell you what you can and cannot study. The boundaries between departments has been so fluid since we are small and from this we have had to collaborate. This produces interdisciplinary courses which benefit our students.”
The conversation quickly turned from their accomplishments to what the students bring to the program. If there is one thing that is certain, it is that these three professors put the students first. Professor Macieski said, “We like to see our students succeed in all aspects of the university. We have had a lot of luck with our students becoming convocation speakers and winners of various awards.”
It is true that one sees a lot of history students winning awards and leaving their mark on the university but I wanted to know why. Professor Cerullo explained, “I think in part that is simply because what we lack in material resources, we make up in terms of individual attention.”
Professor Resch added, “I think that is a key point, the individual attention. We assist, identify strengths, mentor, encourage, and guide students.”
As we started to talk about what the history program has to offer to incoming students, the four of us struck down the common misnomer -- if you go into history you will be a teacher. Teachers are wonderful assets to our community, and society would not be able to function without them. Many history students do go into teaching but there are more opportunities out there. The three of them remembered students who have gone into finance, worked for Segway, designed historical costumes, and one even became a state trooper. The opportunities are endless and varied. Professor Macieski illuminated, “There is no shortage of creativity in how you can be a historian.”
Professor Cerullo added, “There are great examples of students who have taken their history degrees, applied them, complemented their history backgrounds with business or something else, are earning very nice livings because they acquired analytical, research, and communication skills, and retained their interest in history.”
The students, explained the professors, are what make the history program successful. Professor Macieski spoke of their hard work and dedication. He added, “They are intellectual. They really don’t know how smart they are. It is wonderful to see how they grow. How can you beat reading good books and talking to intelligent people about what you love?”
Professor Resch mentioned the role of the faculty in this success as well. He spoke of books written by Professor Cerullo, Professor Macieski, and himself spanning a wide variety of disciplines. He explained, “While we are a small faculty, it really is a distinguished faculty in terms of awards we have received and books written.”
You would never know how many achievements these professors have, unless you asked, for they are always thinking about the students in front of them. The journey through history, with this faculty, is one that always leads to personal growth. History, as these professors have shown me, is filled with gray areas but when it comes to determining whether this program is worth the investment, it seems black and white.
Find out more about history internships and public history.
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Raquel Gawron is a senior history major working in the Student Activities Office as a social media coordinator. Raquel is also a member of UNH Manchester's student blog team.
