By supporting these research interns, the Roberson Project aims to assist a new generation of Houston Robersons who understand that American History must include African American narratives.
Since its founding in 2017, the Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation has encouraged student involvement. Helping students develop their skills in research and methodology prepares them to be the arbiters of change beyond "the mountain." With this insight and ability to build community connections, these future leaders will help create a more equitable society.
This summer, the research interns are helping to produce original research and programming in conjunction with and under the direction of Drs. Woody Register, Tiffany Momon, Andrew Maginn, and other members of the RP Working Group.
Some of our interns are researching the history of the segregated "Negro Cemetery" that is next to the historically white University Cemetery. Beyond research, the students will continue to develop an interactive ArcGIS project.
Prior to the integration, there were 11 Black schools in Franklin County. Two of these schools, Townsend and Asia are the focal point of research for some of our interns. This will result in the creation of community-engaged digital humanities projects.
The original endowment of the University of the South came from 292 enslavers. Some of the Roberson Project interns this summer are reviewing the 1850 and 1860 slave schedules of these enslavers.
Carrie Schupack comes to the Sewanee from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is a rising junior majoring in History and English. This summer, Carrie is assisting Dr. Andrew Maginn with archival research across all Roberson Projects.
Beyond her summer work with the Roberson Project, Carrie serves as an FYP mentor, member of the OG Council, a sacristan at All Saint's Chapel, and a University tour guide. During the school year, Carrie can be found as an employee of a local eatery, Stirlings, and the University Archives.
Lillian Holloway is an undeclared rising sophomore at Sewanee and is from Franklin County, Tennessee. During the summer, Lillian will be assisting Dr. Woody Register with the Black Cemetery Project.
Her work with the Roberson Project will assist in her search for a major. Her top two choices are Political Science and Philosophy. Lillian cannot contain her excitement to "learn about the tangled history of the place she considers home."
Plum Champlin (they/them pronouns) is a rising Senior at Sewanee, double-majoring in English and Creative Writing. This summer, Plum will be assisting Dr. Tiffany Momon with research on the community of color in Franklin County.
During the school year, Plum has several leading and community organizing roles on campus, including the Interfaith Advisory Council, Sewanee Literary Society, 213-A Leaders Program, Arcadians program, Q&A House, and The Mountain Goat Journal. Plum will be transferring the skills they gain from working with the Roberson Project to continue their work in Internet Archiving.
Callie Abner (she/her) is a rising senior at Sewanee majoring in history and minoring in business through the Carey Fellows business honors program. This summer, she will be assisting Dr. Tiffany Momon with research on the community of color in Franklin County.
During the school year, Callie is an Arcadian Leader and tour guide, an Orientation Director, and a member of Greek Life. Callie will be incorporating what she learns this summer as she writes her undergraduate thesis this fall.
