“In the Eye of All Trade” by Professor Jarvis
By Tyler Socash
It’s always exciting when one of your favorite faculty members gets recognized! I was thrilled to learn that Associate Professor Michael Jarvis has won the 2010 James A. Rawley Prize in Atlantic History for his book, In the Eye of All Trade: Bermuda, Bermudians, and the Maritime Atlantic World, 1680-1783.
Read the full article by the University of Rochester.
When I came to the University in Rochester as a freshman in 2005, I was certain that only science courses would captivate my interest. The Open Curriculum at Rochester encouraged and enabled me to choose courses that sounded fascinating, and I actually found myself sitting in a classroom for Early America: 1600-1800 on my first day…
Michael Jarvis walked in with a huge smile and proceeded to deliver the most detailed-oriented, vivid lectures on colonial America that I had ever heard. Jarvis passionately brought history to life! The dates, treaties, battles, compromises, and individuals were all meticulously mentioned and given in flawless chronological order. It’s easy to be spellbound during Jarvis’ lectures, but don’t forget to take quick notes!
In addition to his phenomenal classroom lectures, Jarvis promoted “experiential” history. Jarvis would have the entire classroom board a bus and we would be off to explore the city of Rochester’s historical gems. He took us to the former village at Ganondagan, the site of a Native American community that was a flourishing, vibrant center for the Seneca people. While there, we investigated a replica of a 17th-century bark longhouse. Next we were off to the Stone-Tolan House, the oldest structure in Rochester, NY. Here we were reminded that Rochester was once the “wild west” and very much a wilderness.
Jarvis also took my Industrial America class beneath Broad Street bridge in downtown Rochester to inspect an old Erie Canal aqueduct and the site of the old Rochester subway system. I had a blast getting to know the city of Rochester in a historical context. Whether you were inside or outside of the classroom, Jarvis made history feel extraordinary.
It was because of Jarvis’ teaching abilities that I found myself in more history classrooms than I would have ever expected. I graduated in May 2009 with a minor in History, and I loved every course that I took in the department. Rochester allows everyone to discover their hidden intellectual passions – what are yours!
Congratulations Assoc. Professor Michael Jarvis on winning the Rawley Prize!
Tyler Socash ‘09
Admissions Counselor