Amanda Ward

University of North Georgia (UNG) alumnae Amanda Ward has always loved history, but was uncertain if it could be a career.

A UNG study-abroad trip to Sicily to conduct archeological research and an internship at the Northeast Georgia History Center (NEGHC) cemented her plans.

"I want to work in a museum," the 25-year-old history major said. "But now I'm leaning toward artifacts and archives."

Ward moved to Florida after graduation and applied to a graduate school program there. She will not know until March 2018 if she will be accepted. In the meantime, Ward is searching for jobs at historical sites and in archeological fieldwork.

Ward has proven her love of history since transferring from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, to UNG after her freshman year. She helped found the UNG History Club on UNG's Gainesville Campus.

"It took two months to do the paperwork, but we became official in October 2016," Ward said.

She explained during her first history class at UNG, the professor talked about developing the student-run club. She approached him after class to indicate her interest, and the rest was, well, history.

"Actually, at our very first meeting, we had 10 students, which is good for something that popped out of nowhere," Ward said.

Under Ward, who was the club's president in fall 2017, and her fellow officers, the group has grown to 29 members. The club sponsors activities during Constitution Week, Women's History Month and Black History Month.

In November, the club took a trip to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, the Jimmy Carter Center, the Atlanta History Center and the Historic Oakland Cemetery.

"Our purpose was to allow students who love history to experience it outside of the classroom," Ward said. "We also wanted to give students the opportunity to learn about careers in history and learn about different research opportunities in history. And we want them to learn about the different ways to go with their education goals."

Ward, who graduated in December 2017, knows a thing or two about taking different paths. During her interactions with the Student Government Association (SGA) to help start the History Club, she found another group to join.

"I really like knowing what's going on and it's a great way to find out things," she said. "And they know a lot of things before the general public."

Finding out things is an aspect that appeals to Ward's researching mind. She put those probing skills to work during her internship at NEGHC in Gainesville. Ward catalogued artifacts in the archives and designed a temporary exhibit about Gainesville High School. She also assisted with the World War I exhibit. 

"I was able to tell them what we had in the collection and helped them design the layout of what it would look like," she said.

NEGHC Executive Director Glen Kyle said Ward adapted quickly to the work at the museum.

"Amanda was really good at hitting the archives," he said. "Everyone in the world is thinking that is the most boring thing in the world to do, but we love it. It's always nice to find someone else who is a history nerd."

Ward loved working at the history center so much, she volunteers there as her schedule allows. But she always makes a point to help during Family Day, which is the second Sunday of the month.

"I like the interaction with the local community and get to see them enjoy part of history that I enjoy," she said.