Bree Withrow recently graduated from Mercer University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts in history.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be attending the University of Georgia to earn my master’s degree in historic preservation.
What is one of your favorite Mercer memories?
One of my favorite Mercer memories was of Homecoming this year. This was the first year I actually participated in most of the Homecoming events, and I was able to represent my sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., as a Homecoming nominee. I was doing it all for fun, but when they announced I made it onto the court, I was overjoyed but extremely surprised. My favorite event of the week was of course the lip sync battle, where I helped put together some of the music and storyline for our performance.
How do you plan on changing the world?
I will change the world by uncovering hidden histories and telling people’s stories one person at a time. Working with Dr. Doug Thompson, professor of history, on the Penfield project really convinced me that I could make my mark doing preservation work. Working to mark and uncover graves in the African American section of the Penfield cemetery really fueled my passion for wanting to preserve historic sites, whether they are well known or nearly forgotten entirely. National historic sites and places such as Penfield are gateways into the past that are invaluable in their importance to educating ourselves and future generations. Because of this, I want to go into cultural resource management and conversation to make sure these sites are preserved for years to come.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Just because you change your path, it doesn’t mean you will not accomplish great things. I came into Mercer wanting to go into human rights law, but my goals changed over the years. I would also tell incoming students to not be afraid to stand strong in your beliefs. Opposition is a part of life, but as long as you believe in yourself and what you are doing, never be afraid to stand up for yourself and others.
How did Mercer prepare you for your future?
Attending Mercer University prepared me in so many ways. Most notably, my classmates and professors really brought me out of my shell and made me less afraid to voice my opinions. I came to Mercer as a super shy teenager, and I’m leaving having given speeches to hundreds of people, organized community projects, and presented at national conferences and research forums including at the state Capitol. The networking opportunities I have gotten both at Mercer and in Macon have also been valuable to me.
What makes Mercer special to you?
Mercer is special in so many ways. I appreciated the smaller campus because it meant I was able to know both my peers and professors on a more personal level rather than just being a face in a crowd. Because of this, I had access to many unique opportunities to travel and do research on campus. Mercer was also special to me because my great-grandmother was from Macon, but she was unable to receive more than a third grade education because of Jim Crow laws and having to work to support her family. It’s amazing to me that I could come back to Macon three generations later to carry on her legacy.
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