During the Fall 2023 semester, students enrolled in SOC 223 with Tiffany Raymond and Daniel Renfrow conducted interviews with the important people in their lives. In addition to gaining experience conducting oral history interviews, their goal was to provide insight into a person, place, or historical moment. This exhibit presents brief narratives that students curated from their interviews.
Theressa Charles: “We traveled the Country”
In this clip, Kayla Groth interviews her aunt, Theressa Charles (née Groth). Charles describes growing up with her siblings in the remote town of Hilton, New York. After a while, her family began traveling across the country, following her father in his competitive trapshooting career. Charles reflects on her experiences seeing so much of the world at a young age and describes how these memories influenced her when starting her own family.
Ryan Stevens: “Hits Harder than Most”
Bradley Mills interviewed Wells College head baseball coach Ryan Stevens. This clip highlights his memories of former assistant baseball coach Jared Strait, who passed away during the Summer 2023. Coach Stevens recounts when he met Jared for the first time, as well as some experiences he had with him. Bradley hopes this oral history is a tribute to Jared and his family.
Mary Ann Myer: “Everybody was Close”
Don’Ye Johnson interviews his grandmother, Mary Ann Myer (née Jennings), who was born in 1948. Myer explains how parenting and growing up on 12th Street in Mount Vernon, Illinois was different in the past compared to today. In particular, discipline in school was more strict. In her community, however, everyone was close and on the same page regarding children’s safety and how to discipline them.
Willa Farrel: “Not What People Think It Is”
Miles Harrison interviews his grandmother, Willa Farrel, who was born in 1949. In this clip, she talks about living in the Bronx and the composition of her immediate family. Harrison noted that he learned aspects of her life that were previously unknown to him and that the interaction strengthened their bond.
