After a wonderful 2024-2025 academic year, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to our three outstanding student assistants, Erica (Rickie) Berger, Haley Cotton and Shenandoah Iem, who graduated in May 2025 and are embarking on new adventures.
Rickie Berger‘s passion for archives started as a volunteer position working on our extensive photo processing project. They continued to show their commitment to the field during an internship working with the Mutual Assurance Society Policies collection at the Library of Virginia. Rickie’s dedication culminated in becoming a student assistant and being awarded the 2025 University Librarian Award.
Haley Cotton began as an intern for SCUA and transitioned into a summer assistant role, working on transcription for the Mutual Assurance Society Policies. Haley is our go-to person for research projects and has digitized a significant number of alumni photos – a well-loved and important collection that we are excited to have scanned.
Shenandoah Iem began as a summer student assistant and continued to work with us throughout the academic year. Shenandoah has contributed to multiple projects, including a special preservation project for the Dahlgren Heritage Museum and the Mutual Assurance Society Policies digital collection. Shenandoah has become one of our most proficient staff members in operating the Cobra Book Scanner.
This is a bittersweet farewell, as all our students have demonstrated their passion and skills within Special Collections & University Archives, and they will be greatly missed. We look forward to seeing the incredible things these students will achieve post-UMW.
A Glimpse into Rickie Berger’s Journey: An Optional Graduating Senior Interview with SCUA
What brought you to work in Special Collections & University Archives?
RB: I plan on pursuing a master’s degree in library science and to work in archives one day. I have really appreciated the opportunity to gain practical experience in this field from the Special Collections & University Archives.
What was your favorite project that you worked on during your time as a Special Collections & University Archives Student Aide?
RB: I’ve enjoyed preparing the Mutual Assurance Society insurance policies to be available digitally. This project has been an extension of my summer internship with the Mutual Assurance Society and the Library of Virginia. I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of aspects of this project, which has given me a holistic perspective on the management of digital collections.
What is your favorite item (or collection of items) in UMW Archives and why?
RB: I love the scrapbook collection, particularly the scrapbooks from the early 1900s. The inclusion of a variety of materials in these scrapbooks, such as locks of hair, make them very unique.
What is your favorite rare book from the rare book collection and why?
RB: I love the copy of The Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft, because I have always been fascinated by Wollstonecraft’s work.
What are your post-Mary Washington plans?
RB: I plan to take a year to work before returning to graduate school to pursue a MLIS.
What kinds of archival resources do you think researchers will use in the future when looking back at what Mary Washington was like in 2025?
RB: I think future researchers will look at materials related to student organizations, since they are very emblematic of campus life. Many of those materials will likely take the form of photographs and social media posts, since that is the main way information is saved and shared currently.
Do you have any favorite Mary Washington memories?
RB: My favorite thing about UMW is the people I have met. I’ve been fortunate enough to befriend awesome people here who have shaped my college experiences.
