MAIL:
mrung@roosevelt.edu
CAREER:
Professor of History and Director of the Center for New Deal Studies
HOMETOWN:
State College, Pennsylvania
COLLEGE:
BA: Oberlin College; MA, Ph.D. The Johns Hopkins University
UG MAJOR/MINOR: Major:
History Minor: Religion
WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:
I had an engaging AP history teacher in high school, and then encountered similarly erudite, talented, and challenging history professors in college. Simply put, I loved taking their classes so it made sense to make it my major. I also fell in love with research. History has allowed me to do something I love, which is to read other people’s mail without fear of being arrested.
EXTRACURRICULARS DURING UG (CLUBS, ORGS, JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, VOLUNTEER WORK, ETC.):
I played varsity field hockey (division 3); I lettered for four years in a row. One January term, I did an internship in the House of Representatives with the congressman representing my hometown district. In terms of jobs, my first on-campus job was to vacuum one of the dining halls after dinner. The vacuum was approximately the same size as me. It could suck up an entire biscuit or plate of spaghetti without missing a beat. My next job was in the library; I was a shelf-reader. I absolutely adored that job, in part because I am a huge fan of libraries.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:
I cannot answer the question briefly, because it’s actually a long and involved story that spans two years and two separate interviews. Let me just say that I accepted the position because I study the Great Depression/New Deal/World War Two era and politics so Roosevelt University seemed like an excellent fit. Equally important, I met with students during my interview and was incredibly impressed by them, especially their devotion to the university.
WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON:
A book-length study of race, gender and labor relations in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, America’s “money factory” (it’s where currency and postage stamps are printed) from its founding in 1862 to 2000.
BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND READING BEFORE GRADUATION:
Coming of Age in Mississippi
PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT…:
I have five siblings.
ADVICE FOR INCOMING/CURRENT STUDENTS:
Take a class in a subject you know nothing about and/or one that you feel you may not enjoy.
FAVORITE SPOT AT ROOSEVELT:
My old office, AUD 476. I loved that office and my office mate.
FAVORITE SPOT IN CHICAGO:
The lobby of the Santa Fe (Railway Exchange) building.
YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY:
Honestly, I don’t have a single person. I look up to a lot of people and have been fortunate to have had many role models—parents, siblings, fellow academics, and so many of my students, who have persevered with grace in the face of enormous obstacles.
CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY:
Economic justice and public service because these were causes near and dear to the hearts of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and I firmly believe that you cannot have a healthy democracy without both.
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:
Alone in Berlin
WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE:
That you don’t need to be rich to study abroad.
