Finding Greatness: John Legg
Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, August 29, 2016 3:25 PM
Categories:
Pressroom | College of Arts and Sciences | Finding Greatness
Macon, GA
Full Name: John Robert Legg.
Age: 25.
Hometown: Hartland, Mich., 30 minutes south of Flint.
Residence: Macon.
High School: Hartland High School.
Family: "My parents, family and friends are greatly supportive of my dreams and ambitions in
college and my work in photography."
Employment: Full-time photographer, specializing in Wedding and lifestyle photography. "I
originally started with music photography, but have fallen in love documenting a couple's special
day!"
Degree Objective: Bachelor of Arts in History.
Class Rank: Senior.
Activities: History and Political Science Department tutor, vice president (2016) and treasurer
(2015) of the History Student Organization, 2015 Undergraduate Showcase Art Show participant.
"Currently, Dr. Niels Eichhorn and I are working on a photo book titled 'Images of the Historic
Southeast: The Carolinas,' which depicts historic images from around North and South Carolina.
Focusing on four themes (Revolutionary War battlefields, plantation homes, coastal cities and
coastal fortifications), the book will be run about 40 pages. Many of the images are from when I
took Dr. Eichhorn's “College on the Move” traveling history trip."
Career Goals: "After completing my bachelor's, I plan to pursue a master's and Ph.D. in American
History, focusing on 19th century American Violence within the Native American and outside
communities during the American Civil War. I would love to focus on the public history aspects of
the same topic, asking a variety of key questions: How are things presented and preserved and what kind of public memory and commemorative events take place to honor the specific narrative under research? After my degrees, I would love to work with the National Park Service as a park ranger/ interpreter at a major Civil War battlefield. After a short time, I would then like to pursue
teaching at the university level, helping students understand the past in a different way."
He chose Middle Georgia State University because ... "I have not received such a high level of
education and respect as a student at any other institution that I have attended. From the History
department all the way to the QEP Office, every staff and faculty member has been kind, respectful
and helpful with any challenge that has crossed my path. Not only is the tuition very affordable, I
feel students at MGA receive an education that will launch them into the working world, or prepare
them for graduate studies."
The greatest thing he discovered about Middle Georgia State was ... "The academic experiences.
Through the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) with Dr. Matthew Jennings, Dr. Stephen Taylor and Chris Tsavatewa, I received a Silver Level Distinction. In the spring of 2016, I embarked on a public
history research quest into the rolling plains of the Minnesota River Valley. During this mission,
I uncovered the public memory and commemoration of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, something that has been written on very minimally. As the semester mingled along, the constant support from Dr. Niels Eichhorn and Dr. Matthew Zimmerman continued to keep my mind focused. I was awarded a travel stipend, and also took second place out of close to 80 students at the QEP Undergraduate Showcase. Since this research project, the Brown County Historical Society, along with the Minnesota Historical Society, garnered interest in my work and both have plans to have me present during a public forum sometime soon. In my mind, I have gained respect from my mentors in the History department, as well as made several new friends."
To him, “greatness” means… "Greatness is not given, it is achieved. One must work hard, take risks and push against all the odds to succeed anything they put their mind to. Hard work and
determination will give someone greatness. These key skills are what is expected in college,
especially at Middle Georgia State University. Over the last couple semesters, I have been pushed
to my limits, and because of that, I have been able to push through the tough times to succeed."
One thing people would be surprised to learn about him is ... "Music is a huge part of my life. I
play guitar, and took several jazz guitar classes when I attended school in Michigan. It's a fun
hobby that helps me whenever I feel stressed."
In five years ... "I hope to be in graduate school, keeping my passion for History moving forward
and helping members of the public learn more about historic sites right around their corner."