Meet Our Alumni

Alumni Profiles

 Jessica Leaf, 2014:

Most people do not believe me when I say I was a history major. I mean, what does history have to do with saving people? The historian is that overly-erudite individual locked away in the library, a veritable Gollum mumbling "my precious" over fragments of ancient parchment and fossilized Viking feces (yes, there is such a thing).

And me? Well, I dress in very, very bright colors, adore Florence and the Machine, and have dedicated the remainder of my life to the eradication of human trafficking. Since graduating from the University of Dallas in December 2013, I have been a part of The A21 Campaign, an international organization that works tirelessly to abolish the injustice of modern slavery in the 21st century. Through its four-prong approach, that is partnership, protection, prevention and prosecution, The A21 Campaign offers individuals of all ages, occupations and genders the opportunity to be modern abolitionists, using their unique skills and talents.

Yet, you may ask, what does that have to do with my degree? Everything. My time at UD helped me discover my talents, giving me a unique set of intellectual skills that has allowed me to become my own kind of abolitionist. As Confucius (purportedly) once said, "study the past if you would define the future." Through my study of history, I have been able to define a future where all men and women are free. Indeed, learning history at UD has given me a vision to fight for, much like Constantine's legendary Chi-Rho.

Grace Ballor, 2012:

Grace is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in European Economic History at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her doctoral dissertation, directed by Dr. Ivan Berend, analyzes the historical relationship between the private and public sectors in twentieth century Europe and studies the role of multinational firms in European integration and the development of the European Union.

"The University of Dallas History Department, its rigorous curriculum and generous faculty mentors led me from my early academic career as a Classicist through the timeline of Western Civilization to a Politics degree focused on Enlightenment thought and eventually to a History thesis on the E.U.s Common Agricultural Policy and its effect on French wine growers. It was that thesis, advised by UD's Charles Sullivan, which propelled me into doctoral research on the European Union. Such a progressive trajectory actually proves the value of the historical methodology and an education grounded in its attention to primary source documents, respect for contingency, tools of analysis, and critical thinking, an education that readies one for success in any field. And History at UD in particular, woven into the fabric of the Core, builds an intellectual foundation so robust that its students cannot help but succeed."

Jose Healy, 2012:

Jose graduated from the University of Dallas in 2012, a few months after writing his history thesis which assessed the impact of the emerging U.S. Federal Reserve System and its policies in the years after the monumental stock market crash of 1929.

The research and writing skills honed through UD's liberal arts education, and the history program specifically, helped him transition to his current position at The Wall Street Journal, where he has helped produce the Latin American online and print editions since September 2012 by translating, adapting and editing articles. Though Livy, Homer and More don't make the headlines every day at the Journal, the intellectual habits formed from studying these authors and many others during his four years at UD continue to inform his daily decisions and actions, both inside and outside the office.

Madeleine Klem, 2012:

I am currently a doctoral student in history at the University of Notre Dame.

My time as a history major at the University of Dallas was a wonderful preparation for graduate school. The department, and particularly the experience of writing my senior thesis, provided an excellent introduction to the discipline. In fact, my current research developed out of and builds on my senior thesis. But perhaps more importantly, studying history at UD in the context of the Core trained me to assume that there should be conversations across and among disciplines. And that habit, I am convinced, makes for more interesting and compelling historical questions.

UD's combination of strong majors, like history, and the Core's breadth and depth is powerful and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Peter Raia, 2012:

My senior thesis, titled "The Baconian Legacy in Great Britain: Three Moments in the History of Science and Technology," explored and expounded upon the substantial association between the program of Baconian science and the process of industrialization in Great Britain, which contributed to the significant rise in wealth in the West. Writing this thesis truly was the capstone of my education at UD, as it allowed me to combine the diverse elements of a liberal arts education into a single unified project. My time in the history department at UD was, without doubt, some of the most formative in my life.

I am incredibly blessed to have been able to work with the outstanding faculty  of UD's history department. I learned so much more than just the facts and stories that were the context for their classes; I learned skills that have been crucial in helping me develop and progress as an individual and as a professional. From Professor Cupp I learned the importance and utility of always having a detailed outline of where I want to go. From Professor Gibson I learned how to make detailed but concise presentations, as well as how to effectively use PowerPoint presentations without boring my students or audience. I am eternally grateful to all of my professors at UD, but especially to Dr. Sullivan, who taught me how vital it is, not only to think critically, but to think creatively. His brilliance and passion for history have been truly inspirational for me.

All of these skills have combined to help put me where I am today. I am currently both the Social Media Director and the Stage Manager for The All-American Boys Chorus, a world-renowned, non-profit organization of music education and leadership training for boys. My training in the History Department at UD has enabled me to better analyze our situation, and to think creatively on how to improve it. Since I started as the Social Media Director, we have expanded to several new outlets and increased our online following by over 40%. I am currently responsible for developing and managing all aspects of the Chorus's Social Media face, including advertising, video production, and base involvement. Additionally,  as the Stage Manager for the Chorus, I have had the opportunity to tour both nationally and internationally, including trips throughout Asia and Australia.

In addition to working for the AABC, I have also been spending my time since graduation volunteering as an Adult Literacy Tutor at the local library. One of the reasons I was so interested in doing this is that I really miss the experience of tutoring for UD's History Department. It really is one of the most rewarding experiences that I got out of UD, and I'm just glad that I have been able to find a way to continue in a similar way since graduation. My history degree from UD has been such a blessing in my life, and I cannot possibly express my gratitude and appreciation for all of the History Department faculty, for their brilliance, their passion, and their dedication to their students.

Monica Abbracciamento, 2011: 

Monica graduated from the University of Dallas in May 2011, having combined her history degree with an International Studies concentration.  She wrote her senior thesis "Woodrow Wilson and Mexico: Writing Large in a Small Place," on American involvement in the 1910 Revolution.

She is now an advertising Account Executive. Upon graduation, she spent a year in New York City, working on the American Express brand at Ogilvy and Mather. In the fall of 2012, Monica joined The Richards Group, where she is currently responsible for managing the Wawa brand, overseeing client relationships and all aspects of creative development and execution.

Kaitlyn Willy, 2011:

When asked what was the most fun experience of their college career, most UD students tend to talk about Rome. For Kaitlyn Willy of the class of 2011, the answer was instead writing her History thesis about J.R.R. Tolkien's life as a study in classical pedagogy with Dr. John Sommerfeldt as her advisor. The experience of researching and writing her thesis in the summer 2010 is one that she will treasure for many years to come. The lessons she learned along the way about research, writing, and being flexible have brought her through many more wonderful adventures, including an MA in Theology.

With a concentration in Ancient Greek and her BA in History, Kaitlyn was well prepared for the Echo Program at the University of Notre Dame, the faith formation and leadership program through which she received her MA . The History program at UD granted Kaitlyn a better understanding of the Church in the history of the world as well as a thorough knowledge of Church History, both of which have been extremely beneficial in her graduate studies and in her job at Butler University as the Director of Catholic Campus Ministry. Kaitlyn now lives in Indianapolis and still loves to read Greek and drink tea, two hobbies she picked up at UD. She continues to spend time with Homer, Faulkner, and many other dear friends she met at UD as part of the great books Core program. Feel free to contact her with any questions about the UD History program and its importance in her life at kwilly2007@gmail.com.

Aaron Linderman, 2006:

Aaron Linderman graduated from UD in 2006 with a History major and concentrations in International Studies and Medieval & Renaissance Studies.  He wrote a thesis on the Combined Chiefs of Staff, the British-American military committee that planned much of World War II.  While at UD he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Alpha Theta and was a recipient of the Fr. Louis J. Leikai award for excellence in history.

Aaron subsequently earned an MA in Statecraft & National Security at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC and a PhD in History from Texas A&M.  He conducted research on a Smith Richardson fellowship in the US and Britain, examining Allied support to resistance movements during World War II and how they learned lessons from earlier conflicts.  His dissertation is now available, in revised form, as Rediscovering Irregular Warfare:  Colin Gubbins and the Origins of Britain's Special Operations Executive (Oklahoma, 2016).

Dr. Linderman is also the author of several book reviews, articles, conference papers, and a book chapter on topics involving irregular warfare, terrorism, and espionage.  Along the way he helped to excavate a pre-Columbia pueblo, interned at the Heritage Foundation, and did research for a 1946 homicide cold case.  He now lives with his wife and children near Charlottesville, Virginia.  

 Rachel Vogel, 2006: 

Rachel graduated from the University of Dallas in 2006. She wrote her  senior thesis on Lorenzo de'Medici and his patronage of art and philosophy in Renaissance Florence. After working as a product coordinator for FourthWall Media for two years she decided to attend graduate school. In 2009 Rachel earned her M.A. in International Political Economy at the University of Kent Brussels School of International Studies in Brussels, Belgium. In Brussels she interned for Environmental Security International, assisting the CEO with policy meetings about water security for Afghanistan and Pakistan at think tanks, NATO and embassies. She also worked on the German Marshall Fund of the United States' 2009 Brussels Forum.

Facts by themselves are anecdotes.  History gives the world context.  I was not originally a History major.  I'd choose English because of my interest in literature, and while UD's program in this field is exemplary, I found it just wasn't scratching the itch.  After taking a couple of compulsory history courses, I realized this was my true desire: understanding the creation, development and contributions of civilizations.  I came to appreciate something else.  These courses were being taught by some of the finest historians in America.  Could anyone match Dr. June Welch and his grasp of the history of Texas?  Dr. Alexandra Wilhelmsen and her expertise on the subject of Western Civilization?

But to what end?  What, exactly, can one do with this degree?  Unless one is preparing to teach it, I can't think of any direct application.  But a history major is not designed to be something you do.  Rather, it gives you something to have.  It gives the student an appreciation for the context of his world.  Texas becomes the Lone Star State in all her rascally glory; Western Civilization becomes the ultimate target of radical Islam.  A career in public policy must have history as a (thought not the) basis.  With history as a basis one can be a statesman; without history one will never be more than a politician.  There have been many serious leaders produced by the University of Dallas.  I cannot think of any politicians produced by the University of Dallas.

L. Brent Bozell is the founder and President of the Media Research Center (MRC) and Chairman of ForAmerica.org. He is a nationally syndicated writer to more than 50 newspapers around the country, whose work appears in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, New York Post, Los Angeles Times and National Review.  In 1998, Brent Bozell was awarded the University of Dallas Distinguished Alumni Award and in 2015, he gave the UD Commencement Address.