Charlie Zimmerman is a history major, minoring in leadership studies and geography. He is from Delaware, Ohio.

What do you love most about history?

I have always loved listening to stories and that is really what history is-people telling stories. Additionally, reading, listening, and discussing the ways in which these stories influence the world we live in today is incredibly powerful to me. 

Why did you choose to be history major?

History has been my favorite subject since elementary school, and being able to study so many different time periods, societies and cultures in my time here at Ohio State has been incredible. I knew that this was my home since my first history class on my first day as a freshman. 

What are the favorite history courses you have taken?

My favorite courses I have taken are History 3015- From the New Era to the New Frontier, 1920-1960 and History 3016-Contemporary US History, 1963-Present. While these classes covered years in American history that I had covered in high school, I never have been a part of a class that dove as deep as these two classes did. These were truly the most rewarding classes that I have ever been a part of, and I looked forward to every single lecture. 

Do you have a favorite professor or professors? Who are they and why?

Every history professor that I have had at Ohio State has been great, but the two that I would say I connected with the best are Dr. Elmore and Dr. Steigerwald. Both are incredible storytellers, making every lecture engaging and applicable to the world today. I also have been fortunate to build a great relationship with both professors outside of lecture, as they try to really get to know their students. Visiting their office hours with questions about assignments, content or even just the world in general has led to some of the most interesting conversations I have ever had. In addition to all of that, I feel like I have improved so much as a writer as a result of taking classes with them. 

What’s one thing you wish every Buckeye knew about the past (and/or about the history department)?

One of my favorite quotes of all time is Mark Twain's "History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes." I believe that every Buckeye should spend some time studying history to understand that forces that drove change and affected people in the past still are affecting events today. The path to a more just society will come through a deep understanding of the forces that drive the world we live in, and we can see the same (or similar) forces in studying history.