If you walk into Beck 329 on any given Thursday night around 7:30, you might find a rousing game of history trivia, a lively discussion about the Cold War, or just a friendly group of Gusties playing a history-themed board game. With some music playing in the background, History Club is designed to have a welcoming and casual atmosphere where students can come and interact with a wide variety of people with a common purpose.
The GAC History Club was founded in November 2015 with the purpose of promoting history, “both as an academic discipline and as a general interest among the Gustavus community,” Secretary Brian Lany said.
It was started by a group of History majors last fall and recently gained recognition by the college in February.
“[Becoming an official club] has been a tremendous accomplishment and we appreciate all who have helped us along the way, especially our adviser, Professor Maddalena Marinari from the History Department,” Vice President Christi Pederson said.
From its humble beginnings as an informal club in the fall, the organization has gained more traction this semester by using social media, word of mouth, and posters around campus. The growing club has about a dozen active members, and they are always welcoming to new-comers.
“Everyone is completely welcomed to come and join, even if you aren’t a History Major, like me” Pederson said on the club’s Facebook page.
The founders also intended the club to be a tool to “facilitate communications between the History Department and History Students,” as well as provide support and guidance to “help history students plan for careers and graduate education,” the club’s Constitution states.
By drawing more members of the Gustavus community into the club’s discussions and games, the members hope to increase the club’s size while also boosting interest in history.
The most popular meeting of GAC History club is their once a month historical trivia night, which happens on the third Thursday of every month. This Jeopardy-style game includes trivia from all of world history, but tends to focus on lesser known facts from Southeast and central Asia, Africa, and South America.
“We try to avoid major figures and European bias,” Sophomore Matthew Blackwell, the club’s PR Chair said.
By furthering knowledge and comprehension of other areas of the world, the club aims to broaden the perspective of its members and learn different viewpoints.
“Learning about history helps us to understand why the world is the way it is today. I think it’s important to look for the sources of major events and trends so we can understand today’s issues” – Matthew Blackwell
However, fun is still the number one goal of History Club. During trivia night, the game is played in small teams and sometimes members play independently, depending on the turnout. Winners earn prizes in the form of gift cards for shops and restaurants in the area.
“We all have a lot of fun,” Blackwell said.
Members of the club all share the common notion that learning history is important because it aids our analyses of the modern world.
“Everyone is completely welcome to come and join, even if you aren’t a History Major, like me” – Christi Pederson
“Learning about history helps us to understand why the world is the way it is today. I think it’s important to look for the sources of major events and trends so we can understand today’s issues,” Blackwell said.
By bringing this club to campus, the members hope to create tools for discussion and allow students to make informed opinions and values. The club members are enthusiastic about engaging other Gusties in a fun learning environment that will ultimately benefit the community.
“[We] also want to get people to appreciate the history of the campus,” Sophomore Andrew Charlton Jones said.
“I think learning history in our club is far different from a classroom and thus one might actually remember it and have a good time doing it,” Jones said.
In the future, the club is looking to gain some traction in the Gustavus community to grow in size and budget.
“We plan to go to the Treaty Site here in St. Peter upcoming before this semester ends” Pederson said.
With additional funding, thought, they hope to be able to take a field trip to the Minnesota Science Museum in St. Paul next semester as well as plan some inter-organization event.
“We would really like to work with CAB to plan some event next year,” Blackwell said.
With its enthusiastic members and noble goals, GAC History Club is sure to keep growing and make an impact here on campus.