ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
August 2014
Chelsea Dudley '13

 

What were some factors that led you to majoring in Archaeology? 

I have always been fascinated with history. It was my favorite subject in high school and science was my next favorite subject. I thought I maybe wanted to go into geology but after taking a class in high school I knew I needed a science with more history influence.  After watching a show on the history channel one day about archaeology I knew that was the field I was to get into. So my senior year in high school I did my internship through Washington and Lee Universities Archaeology Department. After a semester with this internship, I fell in love with archaeology and it quickly became my passion. After getting into Longwood they kept sending me all the information on the Anthropology Program, I was hooked. After my first Anthropology  class with Dr. Jordan at 8am, I knew this is was my major, and my concentration would be Archaeology. All of the classes and field trip excavations with Dr. Bates made me keep falling in love with Archaeology. 

Tell us a little about your current job and how it relates to what you’ve learned at Longwood.

I am currently the Archaeologist at The Natural Bridge of Virginia. I was hired in April and had worked there all through high school so I decided to come back since The Bridge will be State owned in a matter of a couple of years. I was hired as an interpreter, but after talking with my boss he was impressed with my resume from working at Washington and Lee's Archaeology Lab and my amazing schooling and opportunities I had at Longwood. He quickly took me out of Interpreting and officially put me as the Archaeologist. I am currently working on a recreation of a prehistoric archaeology site to teach 4th through 8th graders about the science of Archaeology. They get to excavate the recreated site, screen dirt from the site, and then wash and catalog the artifacts they find. It is an amazing opportunity for them. I learned so much about Archaeology, between lab and field work I was very prepared for taking on this task to teach students about my passion. We learn about Archaeology at Longwood and how to fully excavate and go about doing Lab work. I learned how important each step is in archaeology, and now I get to teach students how to go about the science, and teach them it's not just digging a hole in the ground searching for buried treasure. There is much much more to it than that, and I get to share what I learned from Longwood about archaeology with students from Virginia and the surrounding states. 

What advice would you give to our upcoming seniors?

My advice would be follow your passion. Just because it might not be the major that is going to pay that much or it is harder to find a job in that field, never change your major because of it. I was told so many times, well how are you going to get a job in that field, and your arent going to make much money, but nothing ever stopped me. I never changed my major once because of what people told me. If you love it, you will find a job. I was very nervous after graduation about finding a job, but I kept trying, kept building my resume with experience with a bunch of volunteer and part time jobs in my field, and it finally paid off. Never give up on your passion, it's what makes you, you and you'll always be happy going to work everyday knowing you are doing what you love most. 

Who was your favorite professor & why?

Dr. Jordan and Dr. Bates were definitely my favorite professors, It is hard to pick one or the other cause they are both so amazing. They each have taught me so much and helping me come out of my shell once I entered college. I was very shy and they helped me be confident. They have taught me so much about Anthropology and Archaeology. Dr. Jordan is an amazing professor even at an 8am class I never once got bored or tired. I retained everything he would teach us. Dr. Bates is so funny and you can tell his passion for archaeology as he teaches it, it just makes me want to learn more. He makes archaeology even more fun. 

What Longwood tradition is your favorite? Why?

I love Oktoberfest. I love color wars, the bands, the food, the booths, and the overall happiness and fun of the weekend. I love that Longwood gets local and famous bands for the community and Longwood students and everyone else for free. Not many schools do that, none that I can think of right off the bat. I love telling people how amazing my school is when I talk about Oktoberfest. I also really love color wars. I love throwing paint on the opposite team and getting all painted up. It is a great way to start off Oktoberfest weekend, and then you get to end your nights with amazing bands and organizations selling amazing gear and food throughout the day. What's not to love?!

If you could relive one event you attended at Longwood, what would it be and why?

I just love Oktoberfest and Spring Weekend events also. I love seeing everyone out and happy. Friends come to visit your school and see how amazing it is. I loved showing off my amazing school to my friends when they would come visit. I also love walking around the campus with amazing music blaring, everyone having an amazing time and wonderful food in the air. Oktoberfest and Spring Weekend are the best times at Longwood.