Ben Dougherty

Major: History

Finding Balance

Meet Ben Dougherty, a junior from Springfield, Mo., who admits that history has always been his favorite subject. He first learned about the excellent reputation of William Jewell College from his great aunt and uncle, who are graduates. He likes the location of the school just 30 minutes from downtown Kansas City with its major league sports and big-name entertainment. He also appreciates the area because of its many sites of historical interest like the National World War I Museum, the Truman Library, the National Frontier Trails Museum and the Arabia Steamboat Museum. He thinks Jewell offers a good balance between the friendly town of Liberty and the nearby metropolis.

Ben has also tried to achieve balance in his personal life. In addition to being a member of Jewell’s football team, he plays the cello in the College’s orchestra. He balances his school work with fun, too. “Once you get a close-knit group of friends,” he says, “you’re doing things with them all the time.” But he knows how important coursework is. “Some students come in thinking they can coast through class, but that’s not the case. You need to be ready to work when you come here.”

Ben even finds balance in the History 103 and 104 classes that most majors take as freshmen. “The courses don’t just emphasize America but offer a world perspective. They get you acclimated to college study and give you an idea of the area of history you want to work with.” He feels that the department’s faculty is balanced, too. “Each professor has a different area of expertise, so it’s a well-rounded staff.”