Double Major Turns a Passion for History into Real-World Experience

Key Highlights:

• History and Political Science major Jack Cowan spent his summers gaining real-world experience in public history, from working at the Pennsylvania State Archives to educating visitors at historic sites.
• Cowan gained a global history perspective during a semester studying abroad in Germany.

While summer usually offers a break from the classroom, for Lebanon Valley College student Jack Cowan ’27, summer is still a time to learn, explore his passion for history, and gain hands-on experience in the field. From working with historic collections to teaching visitors about colonial life and the Revolutionary War, Cowan has spent his summers finding new ways to connect his classroom learning to the world around him.

This past summer, Cowan, a double major in History and Political Science, worked at the Pennsylvania State Archives as a Collections Management Intern, where he learned from archivists to preserve and organize physical materials from throughout American history, including personal and governmental documents.

The move to an indoor learning environment followed previous summers that Cowan spent at the Pennsylvania Colonial Farmstead and Valley Forge National Historic Park. At the Farmstead, Cowan dressed in colonial attire and taught American history and colonial skills including gardening, blacksmithing, and cooking to visitors. While at Valley Forge, Cowan’s duties aligned with a park ranger and included staffing the Visitor’s Center and giving tours of Washington’s Headquarters where he talked about the Revolutionary War and American History.

“The professors I have the privilege of learning from at LVC, especially in the political science and history departments, have been central in helping me achieve work in the history field during my summers,” said Cowan. “Each of these valuable experiences grew my knowledge of the field of public history and the history of our country. I am grateful for the many people I met that mentored me and taught me their passions and profession.”

Cowan expanded his dive into history by spending a semester studying abroad in Berlin, Germany.

“I stayed with a German family and studied Intensive German and German history,” said Cowan. “This experience grew me academically and professionally, increased my proficiency in language greatly, and taught me to think globally.”

Along with his academic pursuits, Cowan joined the Pride of The Valley marching band as one of the majorettes.

“I never followed bands much before college and don’t play an instrument, but as so many students are in the band at LVC, it has greatly expanded my network of friends, hobbies, and appreciation of music and the campus culture,” he said.

As Cowan prepares for graduation and plans for a career sharing his love of history with others, he appreciates all his campus experiences and recognizes that while the days are long, the years are short.

“During the college search, I was looking for a small school that has a welcoming and fun yet rigorous culture, and one that punched above its weight,” said Cowan. “I was attracted to LVC for its small classes, engaging culture and professors, and campus life. I have made great memories and had unique experiences here, so I know that I made the right choice.”