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Congratulations to Emily Nyren, SPOHP’s Volunteer of the Quarter for Spring 2014!

Emily Nyren, an intern alumni from Spring 2013, has volunteered for the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program through summer and fall 2013, and now in her last semester at the University of Florida.  Emily writes for the Events and Public Programs Archive, recording SPOHP events in online features that include photo galleries and press coverage. She is also working on a new SPOHP media outreach effort to share information about the documentaries and workshops on SPOHP111, the program’s YouTube archive.

After taking a class with Dr. Ortiz in Fall 2011 on the Jim Crow Era South, Emily conducted an interview for the Alachua County African American History Project and was “hooked” on oral history! She took three classes with Dr. Ortiz, joined the internship program, and declared her history major. As an intern, she conducted and transcribed oral histories, and worked on the group documentary project about Holy Trinity Episcopal Church,  “The Fire Within.”

Emily decided to volunteer after her internship class completed to remain involved with SPOHP, contributing to projects she finds fulfilling and important. “SPOHP public programs seem to have more relevance than most,” she said. “They always focus around history and social activism, and that’s very different.”

We greatly appreciate Emily’s dedication to sharing the media and message related to SPOHP that focuses on social justice, community organizing, and local history. Her work provides support to key oral history projects and events.

Emily is studying History with a minor in International Development. She is looking forward to graduating in May and plans to backpack in Europe.

Please join us in thanking Emily for her outstanding volunteer service to the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program!