Sad to leave their UT friends, Steve Knauss and Simos Farrell are eager to begin their studies at the graduate level, just like many graduating UT seniors.
In August, Farrell will head to Brandeis University to study comparative history, and in late September, Knauss will travel to England to continue his study of sociology at Oxford University.
Both Knauss and Farrell, who are roommates and coworkers at The Minaret, have previously studied at Oxford through UT’s honors program.
“I definitely think the connections I made through UT while studying at Oxford got me accepted for grad school,” said Knauss.
Knauss applied to graduate programs at four universities and was accepted to all but Harvard.
“For each school you are supposed to write a statement of purpose,” explained Knauss. “I applied to four schools with four different topics of interest.”
While at Oxford, Knauss will study social movements, specifically the international solidarity movement of the Palestinians.
“I’ll be focusing on Palestine while I’m at Oxford, but I guess my overall interest is in the liberation struggles of third-world nations and oppressed people in general,” Knauss said.
Knauss will study under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Biggs, who shares Knauss’s research interests in social movements.
“I am excited to get to study with Dr. Biggs again,” said Knauss. “We got along really well when I studied with him the first time I went to Oxford.”
Knauss received superior grades from his first round there, yet he is still somewhat nervous about the intensive study and finds his admittance humbling.
“Getting ready to go to Oxford, I’m not so sure I have the basic training I need in my discipline,” said Knauss. “I’m very happy about the time I’ve spent here at UT, and my professors have been great. It’s just easy to forget how little you really know.”
Farrell shares Knauss’s excitement and enthusiasm for grad school.
“All the things I should be worried about I’m not yet,” said Farrell. “I think sometimes you just have to go in with enthusiasm and an open mind.”
Farrell will study comparative history at Brandeis University. He would specifically like to compare the French and American revolutions.
“I was basically trying to find the historical equivalent of gun fights and car chases,” Farrell said. “As I read more, I’m very excited about the research opportunities.”
Farrell, like Knauss, applied to numerous universities.
“I applied to 12 universities, but Brandeis was definitely at the top of my list,” said Farrell. “Their program offered the most flexibility and allows me to study a number of regions and time frames.”
Both Farrell and Knauss have begun to realize the lasting impact UT has had on them.
“This really brought home how lucky I’ve been at UT to meet and interact with all these talented and dedicated faculty members,” Knauss said. “I’m definitely going to miss them all, and hope that we’ll continue to remain in touch, as I deeply value their advice, guidance, and friendship.”
Farrell also feels fortunate to have spent the past four years at UT.
“It didn’t really sink in until right now, during this interview, that it’s really happening. I’m graduating college,” said Farrell. “This has been home for the past four years, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with the best professors at UT.”
“I think I’ll always be interested in what’s going on at UT – at least until the day one of the buildings is named after me,” he continued. “I think everyone on campus secretly thinks about having their own building. Of course, if UT started a satire magazine, that would be even better. I’d definitely read The Simos.”
As Knauss and Farrell head off to grad school, they will leave behind a legacy of excellence that will long be remembered, said Dr. Richard Piper.
Dr. Terry Parssinen also had kind words for the departing duo.
“Steve and Simos are two of the very best students I have ever taught, in 42 years of college teaching,” said Dr. Terry Parssinen. “Both are very bright, hard-working, and extremely imaginative. I believe that both will have brilliant, fruitful scholarly careers as historians.
“It has been a great privilege to work with both of them in the last three years,” he said.