Dr. Peg Preston
Assistant Professor of History
B.A. Loyola University New Orleans
M.A. University College Dublin
Ph.D. Boston College

Q: How long have you been at Augustana? Why did you choose to accept a faculty position here? Why have you stayed?
"I am in my sixth year at Augustana. I have worked at small and large liberal arts, Christian colleges and this is the type of environment in which I desire to make a career. I believe that, if possible, one’s college experience should be holistic; a time in which the whole person is formed—not solely the intellect. I have stayed because the faculty, administration and students at Augie have created a community in which one desires to spend her time."

Q: What is your favorite class to teach? Why?
"That’s a tough question. I like them all for various reasons. I enjoy the Western Civilizations because it is a challenge to take that much information and present it in such a way that is both interesting and insightful. My Irish history course is fun as it is my particular area, but I enjoy Modern Europe because it allows for a conversation regarding more contemporary issues."

Q: You recently published your first book. Please tell us about this as well as your current research interests and projects:
"My book, Charitable Words: Women, Philanthropy and the Language of Charity (Connecticut: Praeger, 2004) is part of Praeger's women’s studies series. I am currently working on a co-edited volume with a colleague who lives in Ireland. We have recruited almost thirty scholars to contribute to a book that focuses on the role of the Irish in medicine both at home and abroad. I will be offering a chapter on the Presentation nuns in South Dakota. Members of this order of nuns, founded in Ireland, arrived in South Dakota in the 1880s and, up until the 1950s, many of the Presentations in North and South Dakota were Irish. In particular, I will be looking at their role in the foundations of hospitals that, to the present, remain an important part of the medical infrastructure in North and South Dakota."

Q: What is the genesis of your special interest in Irish history?
"Guinness. Just kidding. I found the colonial nature of Ireland’s relationship with England to be fascinating. For example, I have done a good bit of work on the famine of the 1840s, and its many complexities still offer understanding for contemporary issues. In addition, the 'Troubles' of the last 30 years of the twentieth century in Northern Ireland speak to the long term consequences of the colonial project."

Q: I understand you spent part of the summer in Ireland. Where were you specifically and what was the purpose of the trip?
"I was awarded an Augustana Research/Artist Fund award and traveled to both England and Ireland. I spent most of my time in Ireland’s capital, Dublin, where I visited the Presentation convent’s archives as well as did work in the Diocesan Archives and the National Library. In addition, I traveled to Liverpool, England to present some of my research on the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Ireland at a conference there."

Q: Do you have any particular advice for students thinking about majoring in history?
"I tell students that they should pursue the major that gives them the most pleasure and energizes them to learn more. If that is history, then I encourage them to think outside the box. Teaching is an honorable calling but is not the only track for a history major. For example, one recent Augustana history major went off to medical school. A history major opens the door to many areas. In particular, Augustana’s history department strives to teach our majors to learn how to read, write, research and think analytically. Being able to do these things well will open the door to almost any career. In addition, I always suggest two other things for students to think about. First, if they have done a foreign language in high school I recommend that they continue with it as being bilingual will bring life-long benefits. Second, I encourage students to seek to spend some time abroad during their college career. Whether a J-Term course, a semester or even a year, time abroad offers students greater perspective and better understanding about our world. Though it appears financially daunting, I try to remind students that often the tuition they pay to stay here is what they will pay when they go overseas.

Q: What is the best thing about being part of the Augustana community?
"This might sound kind of schmaltzy, but I do believe that I am working in a community where everyone’s goal is to enhance and improve Augustana and its mission."