When I went to Northern, I knew my dreams were to be a high school teacher and coach, but I was not positive what subject to major in.  Because I was one of those weird ones who actually enjoyed studying dead people, I declared a social science major. Eventually, I switched from a social science major to a history major.  This would allow me to take more upper level history classes . . . it was a decision I did not regret. 
     The professors in Northern's history department are like no other.  They are more interested in telling you the "story" of history rather than cramming your head full of dates, facts, and figures you can look up in an encyclopedia.  They truly love what they are doing, and this comes across in their teaching.  The (history) professors at  Northern challenge you to achieve and accomplish more than you thought was possible.  You actually get to think and explore and write rather than become a numbered zombie. 
     As I left college to explore the wonderful world of work, I was filled with questions of doubt. Once I had a teaching position, though, it did not take long for my fears to be calmed.  The history knowledge I gained at Northern gave me a solid and broad foundation to become a teacher.  Specializing in history did not hurt me at all. Because of the ways classes are taught, I was well prepared for national exams and for teaching any subject. Now I try to take the passion, pride, and excitement for history that I found at Northern and pass it along to my students.

Name: Gregg Slaathaug

Major: Double major: Social Science and History, Coaching minor

Graduation Date from NSU: 2000

Occupation: High school social studies teacher and
coach

I am now in my second year of teaching and coaching in Minnesota. The subjects I teach include American History to 1865, American History 1865-present, and Government.  My first love is American History, but WOW did I have fun teaching Government during this year's election. 
     What can I say about the NSU History Department but it is the best. When I first went to college I had absolutely no idea of what I wanted to do. I had an idea teaching would be a good area, but exactly in what subject area I did not know.  I started off with a PE major and quickly found out that history is where the true excitement was.  After only two classes with Dr. Grettler and Dr. Marmorstein I made up my mind to change my major to History Education.  All of this and I hadn't even met the great  Dr. Bartusis, Dr. Dias, and Dr. King. Upon meeting the Great Dias I learned that history was a story that needed to be told and that is how I start off all of the history classes that I teach. 
     The way the NSU History faculty taught me inspired me to learn more and more every day.  The story they all told was great, they make dead people come alive and made me question how they were relevant today. All of the professors in the History Department motivated me to do the very best job I could while in college and I have taken a piece of all of them to my teaching students here in high school.  History is definitely where it is.  I could not be happier with a career - I am teaching 6 classes a day and coaching 3 sports a year.  My wife and I are expecting in late July [2001] and can't wait for this to happen.

Name: Joe Flynn

Major: History

Graduation Date from NSU: 2001

Occupation: Law School Student

I'm very happy with the education I received from the NSU History Department. I am attending law school at USD and I feel that they prepared me very well for what I have encountered in my first year of law school.  A lot of people in my class from prestigious schools like Georgetown, Stanford and Creighton have complained that their schools did not adequately prepare them.  They were not used to writing the papers and taking the long essay tests that I had being a History major at NSU.  The professors at NSU are what make History the best major on campus.  They are truly excited about the subject they teach and they really care about each individual student.  I have learned that there is a big difference between professors who will help and professors who want to help. You might be able to find a teacher who will help you in other departments but finding one who actually wants to help is rare.  This is not the case at all with Northern's History Department.  They actually enjoy helping students.  I can promise that if you do major in History at NSU you will be 100% satisfied with the education you receive.