Studying the past to understand the future

Courses in history fueled a passion for the law in Kurt Spear ’10.

For Kurt Spear ’10 (Greene, NY), studying history transcends dates and facts. He believes it is about people and relationships.

“To read the letters and personal memoirs of people who lived during a specific time allows you to feel a certain connection to those individuals,” says Spear, a double concentrator in history and finance. “Specifically, I study people in history that I admire to learn of their successes but more importantly to learn of their failures, and I attempt not to make the same mistakes myself.”

One of his most memorable experiences in the history program at Bryant was taking part in the “Bryant Goes to War” research project with Judy Barrett Litoff, professor of history in Bryant's College of Arts and Science, and several classmates. The research explored more than 1,400 letters uncovered in a storage room in the Krupp Library that had been sent back and forth between Bryant alumni serving overseas During World War II and a student-run organization, the Bryant Service Club, which sent care packages to the troops.

Spear had the opportunity to talk with Howard Peach ’42, a former service club member, as well as Rudy Bigda ’35, who received care packages from the Bryant Service Club and sent thank you letters back.

“Through this project, I had the privilege and opportunity to hear the stories of two amazing, humble, and successful people,” says Spear.

In expert company

Last spring, Spear and Jillian Emma ’09 presented their findings “Yours for Victory: The Wartime Story of Howard Peach” at the annual meeting of the National Social Science Association in Las Vegas.

“Not only did I have a chance to present my research but I also had an opportunity to sit down and speak to respected professors from colleges and universities across the country,” says Spear.

Kurt Spear ’10 (Greene, NY) presents findings of his research at the "Bryant Goes to War" presentation last spring as fellow students in the directed study class with History Professor Judy Barrett Litoff look on.

Spear, a four-year member of Bryant’s football team, was excused from a portion of spring practice to attend the conference with his classmates. “It was a wonderful opportunity,” said Head Football Coach Marty Fine. “This is a institution where you can combine academics at a great level and play a little athletics along the way.”

After returning from Las Vegas, Spear, Emma, and six other classmates in Liftoff’s directed study presented their findings to an audience on campus.

Before the 2009 Homecoming game, Spear and Bigda took part in a special pre-game ceremony that honored Bigda, one of thousands of Bryant alumni who served during World War II, as well as the efforts of the Bryant Service Club.

Home away from home

Spear first learned about Bryant as a senior in high school when Coach Fine called to talk about the possibility of him becoming a Bulldog. Looking back on his first visit to campus, Spear says he couldn’t exactly pinpoint if it was the picturesque campus, friendly professors, or the welcoming environment that he liked the most – but he knew he felt at home.

“I fell in love and knew I could develop as a young man intellectually and socially,” says Spear.

After graduation, Spear plans to apply to Bryant’s Master of Business Administration program. After that, he would like to go to law school.

Rudy Bigda '35, Kurt Spear ’10 (Greene, NY), and Head Football Coach Marty Fine take part in a special pre-game presentation before the 2009 Homecoming Game.

“Law has really become my true passion,” says Spear. “Through my studies in history, I have been preparing myself to become an efficient researcher, which will be a valuable tool as an attorney.”

While it wasn’t easy to balance his classes, research projects such as “Bryant Goes to War,” and his responsibilities as a co-captain on the football team, Spear says the last four years was an experience he will never forget.

“Bryant is an incredible university,” says Spear. “It has prepared me for the next chapter in my life.”