Duke interns say farewell, unveil oral history project

For the past three summers, students from Duke University have been working to make an impact in Marion County. This past week, 14 students left a lasting impression thanks to their contributions.

As participants in the Benjamin N. Duke Scholars Program, the students from the Carolinas give back to the community in a variety of ways.

Marshall Vingi, Glenn Palmer, Jacob Tobia, Will Woodhouse, Jeff Lynch, Blake Marchese, Brian Bulins, Itzy Santillan, Carmi Medoff, Noelle Suaifan, Catharine Kappauf, Kate Pearson, Lillie Reed and Rebekah Johnston took on community service projects and provided tremendous support at the local Boys & Girls Club, spending time with the youth, providing swimming lessons, cleaning up and closing out with an entertaining variety show fundraiser at the Marion Opera House this past Friday.

This past Thursday an end of summer celebration was held at the Marion County Museum to close out their summer experience.

The more than 100 family members and people in the community that have grown to admire the students were treated to a special unveiling of an oral history project from Tobia.

The sophomore visited several families for a project that he said aims to help teach future generations a little about the area’s past.

“It’s an oral history project, which is a collection of stories from 18 different people in the community,” he said. “They talk about the course of their lives, but are living in Marion currently.”

The individuals and families on display range from ages 60 to 104.  Tobia said the project included a big slice of the community and from people with experiences to share.

“The stories of today are the history of tomorrow,” he said of his travels throughout the county.

“If you capture it today, you have a first hand account of the history of this area,” he said. Stories range from a comparison and contrast of one resident’s growing up in New York City and Marion, another resident’s teaching experience during the start of integration and early tales of the life in the community.

 “I think it’s a really unique way for the community to reflect and look back and say who are we? And hopefully find an answer through this exhibit,” he said.

The process took over 10 weeks and included hours of interviews along with transcribing 23 hours of footage, he said, adding that Rosanne Black, director at the Marion County Museum and Duke resources were a big help.

“I didn’t realize until the first time I called someone how awkward it was calling someone as a complete stranger asking them to tell me their life story,” he said. “It was challenging in a lot of ways but it was also surprisingly easy.”

Tobia said that once he was with people, just simply listening to someone and hearing about their lives was effortless because people have so many interesting and wonderful things to say. “I didn’t have to try with the interviewees to get stories out of them because they just had such vivid memories about the place,” he said.

The exhibit will be available for months to come, he said, adding that the project didn’t feel like work, but was part of the ongoing experience the interns have had in the area.

The Duke interns all say the program did the job teaching them something new and lending a helping hand.

Will Woodhouse of Raleigh, N.C. said it was a great immersive experience for the students and something they will take with them towards the future.

By Naeem Mcfadden