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Alumni Profiles
Bruce E. Seely '75:
Professor History and Department Chair, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University
- Briefly, what is it that you do?
College teaching and administration. My specific field of study is the history of technology, where I have focused on issues related to transportation and to engineering education. I also have worked on the history of the iron and steel industry. Recently, I have been engaged in some work on the societal implications of nanotechnology. In short, I've become engaged in work on a number of different questions. And those interests have opened various doors for different kinds of responsibilities. I have had opportunities to serve as a program director at the National Science Foundation, and as executive director of the professional association covering my specific are of historical studies. Now I am the department chair here, which requires attention to administrative tasks and program development. In other words, I've been doing lots of things besides teaching and research. It's kept my career from being monotonous or boring!
- What, if any, obstacles did you face trying to get your first job in this field?
I was very fortunate in finding a field of history that was expanding slightly just as I started and completed my graduate work. I found a position the year I finished -- indeed I had 2 offers to choose from. Since then, professional opportunities have continued to emerge that have provided a very exciting career in university education, teaching, and writing.
- What advice would you give to students interested in working in your field?
History is a very difficult field to enter (at least at the university level), given the very tight job market for university faculty. Students need to be committed to graduate study and research for several years of graduate school -- and have to begin publishing work very early. They need to have some idea of their particular field of interest -- and to choose graduate schools where there is a faculty member with whom they can work directly. Students going this route had better be very sure that they want to do this! There are many other paths open to history majors, of course.
- What are some of the activities you were involved in while at SLU?
Chapel Choir, Chapel Committee; ODK; University Chorus a couple of years. I worked in the dining hall for 2 years -- and as a history department assistant for faculty for two more years. I participated in the history honors program -- and became a big hockey fan -- a passion that I retain here at Michigan Tech, which is another school where hockey maters!
- How can students best prepare themselves while at SLU?
Learn to write and communicate clearly; to think and approach information critically; interact fully with faculty and talk with them directly about professional careers in academic fields.
- In retrospect, is there anything you would have done differently with regard to your
career?
Not really -- I had a great education that prepared me very well for
- What are your future plans?
I expect to remain here for some time -- and to continue work on writing projects in various historical areas. I have discovered some of the most interesting opportunities are things you did not plan for, but can respond to when the situation arises. I've not had a master plan for my career -- although at one point, I would have liked to return to St. Lawrence. Rather, I have simply been flexible. It seems to have worked out.
- Are you willing to talk with students interested in a career in your field? If so, how may
they best contact you?
I'd be happy to do so. Email: beseely@mtu.edu
Additional Alumni Profiles:
John Marino, '83 : Vice President for Marketing, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA
Dawn Montanye, '89 : Manager of Conservation Economics, World Wildlife Fund Northern Great Plains Program, Bozeman, Montana
Amanda Valenta '04 : Senior Audit Associate, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
Moira Collins '84 : Senior Vice President, Product Development, Gartner, Inc.
Bruce E. Seely '75: Professor History and Department Chair, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University
Mark Tavern '94: Director, A&R Administration at the
RCA Music Group, a unit of SONY BMG Music Entertainment and home of the J, Arista and RCA record labels.
Anthony (Tony) Ross '75, M'78: Vice President for Student
Affairs California State University, Los Angeles
George Ashline '89: Associate Professor of Mathematics, Saint Michael's College, Colchester, VT
Alissa Bibb '03, Program Officer: American Councils for International Education
Rick Persons, '83, Senior Television Producer, PGA TOUR Productions
Ronald T. Burkman, M.D., '65 Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ken
Dowling ‘84, Executive Vice President, Grey Worldwide
Advertising
David Dusek ’93, Senior Managing Editor
of golfonline.com
Noelle Laing ‘03, Senior Consulting Associate
at Cambridge Associates
Dan Lee 05', Investment Banking Analyst, Cochran,
Caronia & Co.
Armand A. Rapetti ’73, President, CEO:
JBS & Associates, Lakeland, FL
Ken Polk & '91, Major Accounts District
Manager: Automatic Data Processing, Williamsville, NY
Wendy Davidson Freihammer & #8217;94,
Financial Advisor: American Express Financial Advisors, Cambridge, MA
Mayela C. (Calabria) Harris '87, Family
Therapist (Social Worker): Hospice of Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Peter J. Dalton '94, Affiliate Support
Manager: Habitat for Humanity International
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