AU Alum Makes History Jump Off the Page
BY ERIN BURKETT ’20
4 MIN. READ
“If you want to understand today you have to search yesterday.” – Pearl S. Buck, American novelist (1892-1973)
Anderson University is blessed with more than 100 years of history as an educational institution and a partner of the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.). This history has been preserved in AU’s archives, which serves the community in conjunction with Nicholson Library.
Graeme States ’21 has first-hand experience with the university archives, having completed an internship as a student. Throughout his time he worked on many projects, including digitally scanning materials, cataloging, and digital history projects. This allows information from the physical archives to be accessible on the internet.
States, the first graduate of AU’s public history major, said that his work with the archives gave him a leg up when pursuing his master’s degree at IUPUI. He had real, applicable experience with archive projects that allowed him to have a firm foundation to follow his passions and study public history and library science.
“Public history and library science go hand-in-hand,” States said. “They’re both focused on accessing and understanding resources.” This is a principle States is now implementing as AU’s new learning and outreach librarian. He assists with reference operations, instruction, and outreach for Nicholson Library.
States’ passion for outreach and community building is fueled by the importance of sharing stories and experiences. He stresses the importance of creating and maintaining these connections, calling public history the “preservation of memories.” He is excited for his new role at the library which will allow him to connect with students as they research and utilize resources, which includes the archives.
AU’s archive internship has set other students up for success who have also pursued further studies and career paths in public history, library science, and museum studies. States encourages anyone who is interested in history or library science to ask questions and do research, whether it be formal education or a personal, passion project.
States returned to Anderson upon completion of his master’s program to invest in the greater community as well as the university. He looks forward to supporting students as they learn, faculty as they instruct, and taking advantage of the many resources available through the archives and the Nicholson Library.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.