Edme Guetschow, Outstanding Graduate
I cobbled together a degree using History, Humanities, Library Science, & Eurasian Studies courses that challenged my worldview...It was revelatory to realize how easily moments in the human experience would remain unknown to me unless I sought them out.
During her first quarter at WWU, Edme Guetschow knew she wanted to study humans and the stories they tell. While taking “Nomads of Eurasia” and “Islamic Civilization” (courses ironically outside of the History Department), she realized history offered the “perfect intersection” for her guiding interests. Edme says declaring her major was “one of the best calls [she’s] ever made” and views the history faculty as guides she’s “honored to call teachers.”
Not only is Edme a History Major, but she is also an associate editor for WWU's undergraduate academic journal, Occam's Razor, and has minors in Anthropology and African Studies. Prof. Diehl, Prof. Seltz, Prof. Bhattacharjee, and Prof. Johnston all noted Edme's high quality work and engaging participation in a wide range of history classes.
Prof. Seltz and Prof. Bhattacharjee lauded her exceptional HIST 499 paper and Phi Alpha Theta Presentation that explored St. John's Riot in 1910 and the attempted expulsion of South Asian workers from what is now North Portland. Within two days, Edme presented her Honors Capstone Project to six history and government classes at her old high school in the same neighborhood as the 1910 violence.
Edme says she’s proud of what she’s achieved as a history student at WWU. “I produced a flurry of papers, translated medieval recipes, held a cuneiform tablet, made paper, combed through hundreds of local newspapers, read a small mountain of books, and travelled to Senegal.” Due to a degree she “cobbled together” with history, humanities, library science, and Eurasian studies courses, Edme claims her worldview has changed. “It was revelatory, in some ways, to realize how easily moments in the human experience would remain unknown to me unless I sought them out.”
With the History Department’s expansive course catalog, Edme ventured towards unfamiliar topics, further enriching her experience. She believes studying history has made her a better person. “I am kinder now, more nuanced in my thinking and more receptive to uncertainty.” Edme hopes to continue learning with the lens of history, no matter where life takes her.