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Honors Program
Honors Tracker

Sam Heywood

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Sam Heywood
B.A. in History and Spanish
Graduating April 2020

First I wanted to be a pilot in the air force, but then they told me my eyes weren't good enough. Then I wanted to be in the NBA, but once I topped out at 5'9'' all the haters just laughed. Now I want to get a doctorate in History, and so far, no one has told me that's impossible. I still love balling, but I have a new passion for the past. Through a meaningful study of history, we can unlock a different perspective that can improve society in the present. That's what I want to dedicate my professional life to.

What is something people might not know about you?
I am currently working at an on-campus internship for Intermountain Histories, which is like a digital museum for the West. I'm currently writing eight short stories about environmental tragedies in Montana, Colorado, and Utah. My stories will be published by the end of the semester on: https://intermountainhistories.org. I also have absolutely no reservations about rocking a mustache.

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
I decided to do the Honors Program because I have had some of my most rewarding educational experiences here. It's rare in any other class that I look forward to a test or a project, but in the Honors Program, it happens frequently. The focus is really on what we create and learn, not just testing our ability to memorize things.

What has been your favorite part of your Honors Experience?
My favorite part has been the many opportunities for experiential learning. Whether it was building a truss with a 3-D printer, writing a post-apocalyptic short story, or putting my own germs under the microscope, I've had opportunities to stretch myself and do things I would have never been exposed to otherwise.

What is your next step in Honors?
Right now I am currently researching and writing my thesis. It is a historical work about how and why the largest armed insurrection in the United States since the Civil War has been completely forgotten. I feel a connection to this project because this historical event happened in my home state of West Virginia, but growing up I never heard anything about it. It's wrong that I had to come to Utah just to learn about the bloodshed in my state's past, and hopefully, my project will contribute in some small way to helping people remember.