Legal Studies major Kalen Tendo ’27 was hard at work this summer, combing through yearbooks and other historical items within the Hess Archives to share the stories and history of students of color at Elizabethtown College as part of the Summer Creative Arts and Research Program (SCARP).
Tendo worked alongside staff mentor and Etown Archivist Rachel Grove Rohrbaugh to plan an ongoing oral history project with alumni of color, recording their stories to use as a resource while creating a timeline to help enhance the celebration of the College’s 125th anniversary. The project also serves as a complement to the College’s recent designation as an American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Truth Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center, which helps prepare the next generation of leaders to break down systemic racism and dismantle belief in a hierarchy of human value.
Title of Research
Preserving the Stories of Etown Students and Alumni of Color
Student Researcher
Kalen Tendo ’27 (Legal Studies major)
Staff Mentor
Rachel Grove Rohrbaugh, Archivist
What are you researching?
Tendo: I am researching the history of students of color at Elizabethtown College, exploring how the school responded during societal challenges and what experiences these students had in a predominantly white environment. My goal is to uncover and share their stories.
Why did you choose this topic?
Tendo: I chose this topic because I was given the opportunity to take on a lead role in this project.
What was the most interesting aspect of this research?
Tendo: The most interesting aspect of this research is that I have the opportunity to take a deep dive into Etown’s past and understand the experiences of former students of color. As a student of color today, I value the chance to explore what they went through and compare it to the present. If I identify any ongoing issues, I hope to address them or bring them to the attention of those who can.
Talk about working with your mentor. How have they helped you throughout this experience?
Tendo: Rachel has given me valuable time and space to dig deep into my research. She offers new paths to explore and brainstorm ideas with me, which helps me see the history I’m studying in a new light.
Hear from the staff mentor — Rachel Grove Rohrbaugh
“I appreciated the opportunity to work with Kalen this summer and research the history of students and alumni of color. It’s a huge undertaking and Kalen has done an excellent job of getting the project started and working with partners on and off campus. Kalen has been great at brainstorming ways to make this history relevant to current students. We look forward to sharing more of the work during the 2024-2025 academic year.”