Reilly Klimson ‘25

"I transferred to Lewis from Joliet Junior College in 2023 and plan to graduate from Lewis in December 2025. I am double majoring in Secondary Education and History. In the Fall 2025, I will be student teaching and completing an independent study focused on historical empathy in high school education.

Being a part of the history department has helped me become more confident in my content area. I’ve made lifelong friendships. The class sizes ensure everyone gets to know each other and makes it extremely easy to get to know the professors. I am also a member of Phi Alpha Theta and was the former secretary of the organization.

I plan to teach history at the high school or middle school level. I am also planning to add on endorsements such as a Middle Level History Endorsement and a Psychology Endorsement."

Henry Gilson ‘26

"I began my Lewis journey in the Fall of 2022, and I plan to graduate in May 2026. Lewis has provided me with everything I’ve needed to make a successful transition from my time in the Army to a civilian career. The Lewis Office of Military Affairs always works hard to support me and ensure my G.I. Bill benefits paperwork is completed smoothly and promptly, and any issues or questions are quickly resolved.

Lewis and its history professors have helped me pursue a rich and fulfilling academic career. While I’m a double major in history and education, I plan to pursue higher education once I complete my degree. Thanks to the supportive professors I have already presented at three conferences, will present at two more in the coming semester, and have a forthcoming publication.

Fantastic opportunities on campus have helped me hone my skills as a historian, serving as both the Lockport’s Woman’s Club Intern, and student worker for the History Center and Department, working in the Lewis University Howard and Lois Adelmann Regional History Collection Archive. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to participate in the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society, where I served as treasurer and am now president. Through Phi Alpha Theta, I’ve had the opportunity to attend wonderful events and make lifelong friends.

Additionally, Lewis provides extraordinary opportunities to study abroad. In my case, I spent a semester in Kraków, Poland, at Jagiellonian University, where I formed lifelong connections with professors and peers, participating in the international scholarly community. After I graduate, I plan to become a high school social studies educator and pursue a Ph.D. program in history."

Lindsey Minas ’25

"I transferred to Lewis University after obtaining my Associate’s degree from Joliet Junior College in 2023. Upon arriving at Lewis, I was quickly involved in Phi Alpha Theta, the History Honor’s Society as vice president, and Best Buddies as a Peer Buddy and Buddy Coordinator. Additionally, during my two years at Lewis, I was the Student Worker for the History/Philosophy/Theology Departments. At Lewis, I researched the role of imperialism and nationalism in the Suez Crisis of 1956, and took a wide range of classes that furthered my passion for history.

Through Lewis, I was able to complete an internship that gave me experience in conducting my own research on a local abolitionist, Ichabod Codding. Additionally, I have been able to present at the Midwest World History Association Conference and at a Phi Alpa Theta Conference, as well as giving a presentation at the Lockport Library.

The small class sizes have allowed me to make meaningful connections with fellow students and professors. I could not be more grateful for the professors at Lewis such as Dr. Tallon, Dr. Cremin, Dr. Schultz, and Br. John,  who pushed me and supported me to be the best student I could be.
As a May 2025 graduate, I am currently working in the Adelmann Regional History Archives and at the Gaylord Building Historic Site. In the fall, I will begin graduate study at the University of Chicago in their Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences and plan to continue further graduate study to become a professor of Middle Eastern and Latin American History."

Morgan Jennings ‘23

"I am currently a first year M.A. student at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. During my time at Lewis, I was president of Phi Alpha Theta, Student Grant Coordinator for the Donnelly Foundation grant, and a member of Theta Alpha Kappa. While at Lewis, I had the opportunity to work with a number of incredible professors between various departments. My professor’s concern and interest in my work inside and outside of class helped me come into my master’s program with a clear vision of what I wanted to do.

This interdisciplinary approach allowed me to explore a variety of topics, eventually culminating in my capstone which set the basis for my research during my M.A. I’m currently on track to graduate in the Spring of 2026. After that, I intend on applying to a Ph.D. program back in the States."

Richard Maska ‘17

"I plan to graduate with a Ph.D. in history from the University of New Mexico and advance to the next stages of my life, whether as an educator, researcher, editor, or another position. My work focuses on Native American history, specifically the Nakota (Assiniboine) and Oceti Sakowin (Sioux) at the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeast Montana during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Interestingly, this topic is markedly divergent from the work I did at Lewis University, where I specialized in the history of the Civil War through the lens of common Union soldiers.

I owe much of my academic evolution and current success to my experience at Lewis. While there, I joined Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society and made lifelong connections to faculty and peers. Part of this was due to the inclusive, energetic, and empathetic culture of Lewis broadly. I am especially grateful to each of the History Department’s professors, all of whom went above and beyond in pushing me to succeed academically. I received concerted attention and was given personalized assignments that were adapted to my career aims and needs. They encouraged me to think like a professional historian in all aspects of my work, whether research, argumentation, or presentation. Through their assistance, I was able to present my work at four academic conferences across three states during my time as an undergraduate. This gave me invaluable experience as a working historian. Dr. James Tallon, for instance, encouraged me to explore a wide range of historical subjects including my ultimate area of focus on Native American history. My professors’ guidance and assistance enabled me to parley my work at Lewis to a Maters in Arts at the University of Chicago and, eventually a Ph.D. program at New Mexico. I will forever be grateful for my time at Lewis and for the opportunities it allowed me to pursue."