皇家华人

For many students, college isn鈥檛 just about time spent in the classroom, but the small moments and connections made along the way.

This experience was especially true for Jennifer Lynn, a first-generation student from Wibaux, Montana, a town of less than 600 people. Lynn, who is now an associate professor of history and the director of the Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies Center at Montana State University Billings, recalls arriving at 皇家华人 for her first semester.

鈥淲hen I showed up at Colter Hall to move in, my 18-year-old self couldn鈥檛 imagine that 10 years later, I鈥檇 be living in Berlin, working in German archives and becoming a professor,鈥� Lynn said. 鈥溁始一�人 is so important because it opened up a world of possibilities for me.鈥�

For Lynn, her life has been characterized by creative people and strong women, who served as the catalyst that ignited her future career and current passions. Throughout the years, her service has been deeply rooted in empowering women and establishing the Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies Center on campus, while working toward equality for everyone and ending discrimination.

Though she wasn鈥檛 always sure of her exact career plans for the future, Lynn knew from a young age she had a passion for reading and writing.

A voracious reader throughout her childhood, she shared her gratitude for the Wibaux Public Library.

鈥淭he librarian there allowed me to check out as many books as I wanted,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t was the faculty at NWC that challenged me to put my love of writing and reading together, and my intellectual inquiry really began when I arrived at college, which meant that I could see a place for myself in higher education.鈥�

Lynn, who majored in history and journalism, recalls visiting with NWC Art and Galleries Coordinator Denise Kelsay one day on campus.

鈥淚 said that maybe one day I鈥檇 go into library science or history, and I remember Denise鈥檚 tone of voice; she said 鈥楯en Lynn, you鈥檙e going to go get your doctorate.鈥� It was such a declarative statement.鈥�

In 2012, Lynn received her doctorate from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Modern German History.

鈥淚n that moment, her matter-of-fact tone hit me. It was absolutely possible for me to imagine earning a Ph.D.,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat was a pretty transformative experience.鈥�

However, Lynn feels that she did not earn her Ph.D. alone. People like Kelsay, Professor Emeritus of Art John Giarrizzo, retired journalism professor Dennis Davis, Professor Emeritus of History Steve Thulin; the late Professor Emeritus of English Burt Bradley and retired Director of the Homesteader Museum Rowene Weems, supported her by writing letters of recommendation, offering encouraging words and even jokingly telling her when she needed to 鈥済et it together.鈥� 

鈥淢y professors at MSUB were also champions for me and supported my intellectual work,鈥� Lynn noted.

Now, as a professor and director of the Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies Center at MSUB, Lynn鈥檚 goal is to connect the campus to the community and find partners in the local region to collaborate on projects.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to me that young women have powerful, female role models surrounding them. That鈥檚 one of my main aims as I am working on issues of gender equity, women鈥檚 safety and access to women鈥檚 healthcare.鈥�

In the past, the center鈥檚 projects have ranged from working with Angela鈥檚 Piazza, an organization to help women who are survivors of domestic violence, to collaborating with the YWCA, a nonprofit focused on providing women and children with a safe place to live and affordable housing options.

Fortunately, those who are interested in helping don鈥檛 have to be a student at MSUB in order to get involved.

Lynn encourages those who want to help to think about the causes important to them and connections in their own communities. Whether it鈥檚 local city council, the school board or other organizations, there鈥檚 almost always a way to make a positive impact.

鈥淔inding your voice is powerful,鈥� Lynn said.

In addition to her work with students at the Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies Center, she also teaches a diverse offering of courses at MSUB including Gender, War and Film; The Holocaust in Nazi Occupied Europe; Witches, Vampires and Zombies: Monsters in European History; Western Civilization, and many others.

鈥淚 often joke with my students and say 鈥榶ou鈥檙e probably not going to remember all the phases of the Thirty Years鈥� War, but I want you to be critical thinkers and continue to think historically.鈥欌��

Now, looking back at some of her favorite memories of 皇家华人, she recalls time spent writing with her friend Rebecca Weed, who is currently an adjunct professor in the NWC art department, and cruising around in her VW bus.

鈥淚 found my place in Powell, while I was surrounded by smart, creative individuals and powerful women who were so encouraging and strong,鈥� Lynn said. 鈥淭o me, that's the magic of 皇家华人. It gave me a push into the wider world.鈥�