Elizabethtown College History alumnus Eric Schubert ’23 was recently appointed to the 2024 Next-Gen Leaders (NGL) cohort by the White House Historical Association. The NGL initiative names influential young people who have a passion for history, civics, and education to serve as ambassadors for the White House Historical Association’s work.
“Being able to interact with professionals who share some of the same unique interests, careers, and love for Presidential history is something I am greatly looking forward to,” Schubert said.
In his role, Schubert will work with professional staff and other Next-Gen Leaders at the White House Historical Association to amplify their mission in a hybrid role. It’s part of a dedication to public service that started while Schubert was at Etown.
“Etown impacted my career in public history most notably through its Educate for Service motto,” Schubert said. “My undergraduate coursework and leadership in teams such as the Momentum program showed me that I wanted to seek a career as a public historian with an emphasis on service and civic engagement.”
While at Etown, Schubert obtained a Public Heritage Studies Certificate. He worked with Elizabethtown College Director of Prestigious Scholarships and Public Heritage Studies Jean-Paul Benowitz to research the history of homes in historic Marietta, launching a #ThisPlaceMatters preservation campaign. Through the program, he was afforded opportunities for hands-on experience with local community organizations and leaders.
“If it was not for Etown and the Public Heritage Studies program, the scholarship and projects I worked on during my undergraduate experience would have been opportunities I would never have been exposed to,” Schubert said. “My experiences at Etown allowed me to know I was on the right path to doing something I loved!”
Schubert has been internationally recognized for his extensive genealogy work, which includes his assistance in helping the Pennsylvania State Police solve a 57-year-old cold case during his time at Etown. He is currently a Forensic Genetic Genealogist for Othram, Inc., and is the Founder and Genealogist of his own company, ES Genealogy.
Schubert was also a founding member of Etown’s History Club and was involved in historical preservation work through Etown’s Summer Creative Arts and Research Program (SCARP).
About the White House Historical Association
Founded in 1961 by First Lady Jackie Kennedy, the White House Historical Association is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the White House. The organization is responsible for providing public access to the historic White House.
