The History Department

Dear Prospective St. Bonaventure Student,

Embarking on the next chapter in life can be an overwhelming task.  Where will I spend my college career?  What do I want to major in?  What college will foster my gifts and talents?  What kind of person do I want to become?  These are just some questions that went through my mind as I was deciding on where I would spend four years of my life. 

I came to St. Bonaventure University as an undecided major.  It was the smartest choice I could’ve made.  I was able to explore the variety of classes St. Bonaventure has to offer, especially through the Clare College curriculum.  By sophomore year, I declared history as my major.  Not because it laid out a clean career path, or would guarantee large sums of money; but because it would teach me some of the most important universal skills that I could use in almost any way I desired in life.

St. Bonaventure is a special place that has more to offer than other schools.  The small classroom atmosphere facilitated intimate conversations between my professors and peers.  I am able to appreciate the education I received at St. Bonaventure because of the Franciscan values instilled in the education.  When I graduated, I did not leave with just a diploma, great friends, and mentors; I left with values of Franciscan teaching that I continue to use on a daily basis.  These same values have led me to work with the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry serving a poor community in Wilmington , DE .  Looking back, I can appreciate that St. Bonaventure not only teaches its student, but also teaches its student how to lead a meaningful life.

Majoring in history at St. Bonaventure is a rich and challenging journey that enabled me to take advantage of the many unique and diverse classes that are offered.  My professors challenged me to become a critical thinker, and to question what goes on “outside the box.”  Through history classes, I was constantly being challenged to think and write in different and creative ways; whether I wrote book reports, papers, or researched the school archives to create a web page.  I took advantage of the internship program my junior and senior years where I was able to explore the world of non-profits, something that peaked my interest and I’m involved with today in my volunteer ministry.  The research, writing, and critical thinking skills I learned have been immensely useful in my post-graduate life. 

Now, an alumnus of St. Bonaventure, I can truly value and appreciate the education I received, and the lessons I have learned from the classes I took from some of the most dedicated and intelligent professors.  The Franciscan values that are taught at St. Bonaventure have influenced my thoughts and actions.  I am so grateful that I was able to attend St. Bonaventure and major in history.  Wherever your next chapter leads you, I wish you the same confidence and pride in your decision as I was able to make.

Pax et bonum,

Debbie Holihan

Class of 2005