The Iowa History Center is proud to introduce our three inaugural Iowa History Center Scholars: Brandon Herring, Madison Wirth, and Robert Lyons.
Madison Wirth
Madison Wirth is a freshman from Dallas Center-Grimes. She plans on majoring in both History and Education with the goal of becoming a high school history teacher upon graduation. In high school, Madison’s favorite subjects were AP U.S. History and AP U.S. Government, which led to her desire to become a history teacher. In high school, her interests outside of academic and history were mainly competitive soccer and reading.
I want to be an Iowa History Center Scholar because the program will give me a hands-on opportunity to further my knowledge of Midwestern history through the people that experienced it first-hand. I don’t know a better way to learn and appreciate history than through the stories of others. It is these stories, handed down from generation to generation, that keep our past alive. Being a part of discovering and documenting these stories will expand my research skills and allow me to pass our history to my future students. I am excited to begin my journey as an Iowa History Center Scholar.”
Madison Wirth
Robert Lyons
Robert Lyons is a native Iowan who comes to the Iowa History Center from the small town of Denison. He graduated from Denison High School with honors in the spring of 2013 and was involved in such activities as baseball, basketball, Destination Imagination, Interact Club, Student Senate, Speech, Band, Theater, and church choir. In Denison, Robert was extremely active in both local politics, where he served as a campaign manager, and civic endeavors, where he founded a volunteer organization. At Simpson, Robert is double majoring in Mass Communications and Political Science with a minor in American History. On campus he is involved in not only the Iowa History Center but also the theater department, the band, baseball, and the Student Government. When Robert finds some free time, which is not often, he enjoys traveling, reading, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs. Robert’s reasons for wanting to be an Iowa History Center Scholar are many but his main reasons are a deep appreciation for history and a desire to preserve and perpetuate Iowa’s history. He hopes to gain skills in communication and organization from his work with the Center and also to learn even more about Iowa’s unique history.
Brandon Herring
Brandon Herring is a first year student at Simpson. He enjoys being active in the fine arts. Brandon is currently a history major with a minor in secondary education, but he hopes to add a journalism major soon. Brandon loves how in the humanities no necessary right answer exists. Yes, dates and events cannot be changed, however the importance of said event can be debated. History can lead to endless discussion and intrigue.
I wanted to be involved with the Iowa History Center, because I wanted the opportunity to educate others on the importance of history. I wanted the chance to share what I love with others and maybe help convince them to study history. I hope to gain knowledge and experience that could transfer over to my future teaching career. My biggest goal is to make people proud to study history and make people proud to be an Iowan.”
Brandon Herring