Clarkson University undergraduate Jochanaan Fair-Schultz, of Potsdam, is a 2023 recipient of a competitive William G. Pomeroy Foundation fellowship that supported the history major’s summer internship with the Potsdam Public Museum.
Pomeroy Foundation fellowships support Clarkson history majors through stipends and advising opportunities that lead to internships with North Country history and heritage organizations. In 2022, Clarkson received a $50,000 Pomeroy Foundation grant through which the university’s Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (DHSS) is providing up to 20 undergraduate students with $2,500 fellowships over the next five years to help cover cost-of-living expenses during their projects. Each year, students majoring in history can apply and compete for these prestigious undergraduate fellowships.
“The Pomeroy Foundation is proud to support this experiential learning opportunity for Clarkson students who are interested in pursuing careers in the field of history and making a difference at important community assets such as museums and historical societies,” said Deryn Pomeroy, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Trustee at the Pomeroy Foundation. “We extend our congratulations to Jochanaan on his important contributions to the Potsdam Public Museum as Pomeroy Fellow.”
During his fellowship, Fair-Schultz gained specialized skills working closely with museum archivists to process new artifacts, a project that required learning the archival practices of accessioning and cataloging.
“Through hands-on experience interns directly help the museum fulfill its mission to make local history accessible and appealing to the greater Potsdam community at-large,” said Trevor J. Blank, Director of the Museum. “As a relatively small operation that predominantly serves the local community, the museum benefits tremendously from the efforts and enthusiasm of interns who collaborate with staff to cultivate a deeper understanding of the various components that comprise museum administration and community engagement.”
Blank said interns provide invaluable critical support in the collection, documentation and presentation of materials and projects their organization works to develop.
“What a lot of people recognize is that local, state, and colonial history are central to the identities and attractions of many North Country Communities,” said Stephen Casper, Professor of History at Clarkson University and lead Pomeroy Fellows coordinator. “Museums, county historical societies, and battlefields and state parks are spread across this region. At the same time, many of these not-for-profit organizations depend on passionate volunteers and skillful interns like Jochanaan.”
Fair-Schultz said his internship added depth to his academic journey and paved the way for personal and professional growth in his studies and career path.
“There is no downside to experimenting with an internship and taking the opportunity,” said Fair-Schultz, who plans to continue his studies into a master’s degree when he graduates from Clarkson. “The Pomeroy Fellowship provided me with the support to gain this invaluable experience and I have used the funds to buy this term’s course books.”
About the Pomeroy Foundation
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation® is committed to supporting the celebration and preservation of community history; and working to improve the probability of finding appropriate donor matches or other life-saving treatments for blood cancer patients. Established by Trustee Bill Pomeroy in 2005 to bring together his two greatest passions, the Pomeroy Foundation is a private, philanthropic organization located in Syracuse, N.Y. As the nation’s leading funder of historical roadside markers, the Pomeroy Foundation has awarded more than 2,100 grants for markers and bronze plaques in 48 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about the Pomeroy Foundation, visit wgpfoundation.org.