Macey Wilson’s family always emphasized the importance of Arizona’s unique stories. As a sixth generation Arizonian, she fell in love with her home and the history it had to offer. However, the southwest isn’t her only interest. As a student studying history in the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies and German in the School of International Letters and Cultures, Wilson is able to explore more than just her home state.
She spent the last year on an exchange at the University of Heidelberg in Germany where she had the opportunity to practice her foreign language skills. Wilson was the recipient of the SHPRS Friends of History scholarship last year. Earning the scholarship has helped Wilson dive head first into her studies.
We caught up with Wilson to see how the scholarship has impacted her academic career.
Q: What has winning this award meant to you?
A: Being awarded the SHPRS Friends of History scholarship has allowed me to focus my full attention on my studies at ASU. Whereas I would normally work full-time alongside my courses, I was able to put my full effort into my coursework and gained a stronger sense of which field I would like to pursue professionally.
Q: What lead you to study history at SHPRS?
A: I have attended all three state universities and will admit that the SHPRS history program is by far the best I’ve experienced. I have always loved history and it was a natural choice for my major, but the program at ASU has provided a wealth of inspiration and opportunity that would not have been available elsewhere.
Q: Throughout your time at SHPRS, what classes or professors have made the biggest impact?
A: My first semester at ASU was pivotal to my success in SHPRS. I took two history classes, a U.S. history course with Dr. Kyle Longley, who is now the director of the LBJ Memorial Library at the University of Austin, and a world history course with Dr. Volker Benkert. Both professors introduced me to ways of looking at and studying history that I’d never explored before and Dr. Longley, from whom I continued to take classes, became an admired mentor and major influence on my studies. Every professor I’ve encountered and studied with in the SHPRS department has offered countless resources and the sincerest encouragement.
Q: What do you plan on doing with your degree once you’ve graduated?
A: Once I graduate this May, I would like to pursue my master’s degree, potentially in Germany or here in the U.S. While I am passionate about local Arizona and southwestern history, I would prefer to focus my graduate studies on the interaction and historical cultural exchange between the U.S. and Germany in the 20th and 21st centuries.
If you would like to help students like Macey achieve their academic dreams, click here to see how!