Academic Departments I History I Where Are They Now?

Amanda Becker ('05) is currently teaching U.S. and World History at Auburn High School in Rockford, Illinois. In just her second year of teaching, Amanda was a Golden Apple Award Nominee. About her experience at Rockford College, she said, "Teachers were great. I could visit or e-mail any of my professors with questions any time they were available. They encouraged me to dive deeper into my studies as well. I never thought that I would be learning the Greek language until Dr. Martin's classes, but now I've been studying it for the past three years. If you're an education major, Rockford College's program will prepare you for the classroom. The education department gave me the tools I needed in order to succeed in the classroom with multiple techniques, self evaluations, and strict standards."

Blair Lemons ('05) teaches special education at Harlem High School and is the head freshman baseball coach there. "Having professors who valued their students as individuals, gave me a feeling of importance as a student. Instructors were readily available for any questions or concerns and brought an enthusiasm to the classroom that made class enjoyable."

Dave Oberg ('91, History MA '93 and '98 Historical Administration concentration from Northern Illinois University) has spent seventeen years working in museums in various capacities. At present, he is the Executive Director of the Geneva History Center in Geneva, Illinois. Dave "was a proud participant in the Honors program." He said that the Rockford College "broad Liberal Arts education gives me greater context when making decisions. In addition, the strong emphasis on writing skills has served me well in publishing and in writing grants to support various museum endeavors. The small class size at Rockford College allowed strong focus on presentation skills as well, which has served me well in my career."

Joshua Parker ('04) is currently finishing up a Masters in Teaching degree at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. In looking back at his time as a Rockford student, Josh said, "My ways of thinking about the world around me were informed by the discipline of history. I became more critical of current events, relating them to occurrences of the past. I understood more about the impact that an individual, a movement, or a technology can have on culture, society, and the world." His continued work in history focuses "on topics of privilege, oppression, and social justice, which continue to have immense importance on our existence today."

Mark Pedowitz (`74) went to John Marshall Law School in Chicago after completion of his degree in History at Rockford College . He began his career as an attorney at MCA, Inc. and began his rise up the ranks within the entertainment industry. Pedowitz joined ABC in August 1991 as senior vice president, where he negotiated deals to acquire programming for all aspects of the network's broadcasting. He continued his upward climb and was named president of ABC Studios in 2004 where he now oversees creative and business operations for network, cable, mobile and broadband outlets. Pedowitz has been instrumental in expanding the studio's brand identity as a haven for filmmakers for both broadcast and cable networks with an impressive slate of series, including international hit franchises Grey's Anatomy , Desperate Housewives and Lost , and breakout successes Ugly Betty and Brothers & Sisters . In addition, he currently sits on the BMI Board of Directors, the Board of the Foundation for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS), and has served on the Executive Board of both the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) and the Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS).

Heaether Venetucci-Johnson ('03) is currently a Librarian Intern in the Rockford Public Library Adult Services Department. In addition, she is a second year graduate student at University of Wisconsin at Madison, in the School of Library and Information Sciences.