October 24, 2023
Hannah Kline, a Minford, Ohio native, found her major at Shawnee State University by looking into the past.
“I realized as I was taking my electives that I was taking more and more History courses, and it had become my passion" she said.
After declaring History as her major, Kline is excited to have found a program that piques her interest and is important to the whole community.
“I had no idea about the history Portsmouth holds with the earthworks, its role in the Underground Railroad, and other historic sites,” she said.
Students in SSU’s History program, led by Dr. Drew Feight, are encouraged to attend events that give a deeper insight to Portsmouth’s history. Kline and her classmates are currently taking a deep dive into the city’s connection to the Underground Railroad.
“Dr. Feight is over the SSU Center for Public History and has received a grant for marking historic Underground Railroad sites,” she said. “He’s including that in his class, having us look into those who escaped slavery, as well as those who helped the escapees.”
Recently, SSU hosted the three-day symposium, Appalachian Studies in the Digital Age, which included sessions on Hispanic Heritage Month, the Underground Railroad, and included a student workshop that was led by local historian and filmmaker Amanda Page, for those interested in preserving the history of the buildings in Portsmouth which have not been historically marked.
“It’s just astounding that people who grew up here their entire lives don’t know just how much history this place holds,” said Kline, who finds a great thrill in studying the area’s historical landmarks. “I think it’s very important to be able to preserve that.”
SSU’s History program provides its students with a general understanding of the development of American, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern civilizations. Students learn to draw upon the insights and methods of various social science disciplines, and develop analytical capacities, research skills, and writing talents. Many graduates use their skills to pursue a career in law, education, journalism, government service, or the private sector.
To learn more about the History program at Shawnee State University, visit shawnee.edu/history. To explore the opportunities within the SSU Center for Public History, visit shawnee.edu/center-public-history.