Sargent follows passion to earn history degree

Dominik Sargent is a familiar face to many students, faculty and staff at the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Gainesville Campus. He has worked for eight years in the cafeteria while paying his way through college, and Sargent has sought to provide a smiling face and a listening ear to fellow members of the UNG family.

This spring, roughly 12 years after originally enrolling at UNG, Sargent will complete his bachelor's degree in history. The Gainesville, Georgia, resident earned an associate degree on the general studies pathway in 2021.

Sargent started his time at UNG pursuing a degree in computer science because others had discouraged him from studying history in college. His heart wasn't in computer science, according to Sargent, so he decided to pivot.

"I thought it would be important to finally switch over to something that I'm passionate about, which is history," Sargent said. "I've always had a fascination with history since a young age."

His father is from the U.S. and his mother is from Germany, and hearing about his family from both parts of the world "has inspired me," Sargent said.

"We can learn from the mistakes of the past, and it can teach us lessons we may forget," Sargent said.

Sargent is extremely grateful that his grandmother Roswitha Handwerk flew in from Germany to join him in celebrating his graduation. This occasion is particularly important to him and his family, as his grandfather passed away last fall and had been looking forward to seeing Sargent graduate.

"I want to make this day as special as possible for my grandmother and my family," Sargent said.

Former history faculty member Dr. Walter Lorenz and current faculty members Dr. Cenate Pruitt, associate professor of sociology and human services, and Dr. Phillip Guerty, associate professor of history, have inspired and encouraged Sargent along his UNG journey.

With his bachelor's degree in hand, Sargent is looking at graduate school programs to determine his next steps toward entering the field of archival work.

Deciding to work in the Student Center cafeteria while also in school allowed him to pay for all of his classes out of pocket so he wouldn't pile up student loan debt that he has to pay back for years. Yet it turned into something far more meaningful, as Sargent formed bonds with his co-workers and patrons.

"Students come in and they like to talk," Sargent said. "They get to know us, and we get to know them."

Sargent knows his timeline of spreading out classes for financial reasons won't work for everyone. He encourages others to go at whatever pace works for them. One thing he believes is universal about his story is the importance of pursuing one's passion.

"Don't let the world around you influence you to do something you don't want to," Sargent said. "You need to do what's best for you and what you enjoy."