Mick Rash is a History and Economics double-major from Knoxville, Tennessee.
What do you enjoy most about studying history?
My favorite part about studying history is the manner in which it offers a way to explain why the world is the way that it is. Each individual, action, or event throughout history offers a way to examine how our current world came to be. Whether history is studied at a global or regional scale, its retrospective insights provide a mechanism for acting in the future.
Why did you choose to be a history major?
I chose to be a history major because history was, and still remains, my favorite discipline to study because of the never-ending nature of it. We continue to see the effects of past leaders, events, and ideas in our world that only history provides additional explanations for. I have also been incredibly lucky to have had mentors at all levels of education who taught me to love studying history, and I cannot thank them enough for passing their passion to me.
What are the favorite history courses you have taken at Ohio State and why?
My favorite history courses that I have taken at Ohio State are Dr. Cabanes’ class on war in the twentieth century and Dr. Dragostinova’s seminar on modern European History. I enjoyed Dr. Cabanes’ class because we examined some of the most significant conflicts in time with an intensely human angle. In Dr. Dragostinova’s seminar, we were challenged with both highly abstract, theoretical texts and individualized, personal accounts to create a more cohesive picture of some of the most consequential moments of recent history.
If you could take the place of a historical figure (either dead or alive) for one day, who would you choose and why?
I would choose Dwight D. Eisenhower. From leading the Allied efforts on the Western Front during the Second World War to returning home and being courted by both political parties to run for President, Eisenhower was a phenomenal leader who brought together competing personalities in multiple contexts. He influenced many of the most impactful moments of the twentieth century and is one of the most significant characters in American History.
What’s one thing you wish every Buckeye knew about the past?
I wish that every Buckeye knew that history, and the past in general, does not have to be limited to dates or individuals. History is complicated and messy. More often than not, there are ways to dig deeper into our shared past and make new discoveries or pull new insights.
What do you like best about being a student at Ohio State?
The opportunities that Ohio State offers are my favorite part about being a student here. Because of the sheer size of the university, there is a major, course, club, or job opportunity for students to follow their interests and passions. In addition, students receive the benefits of a higher education institution that is so much more than just a university.