Sophie Ledden ’25

As long as I can remember, I’ve had a widespread range of interests ranging from linguistics and archaeology to politics and music, and once I found they had a common denominator in anthropology, there was little question in my mind that this was the area of study I wanted to pursue. I love the interdisciplinary nature of anthropology; it means that I don’t have to box myself into one narrow subject. I have been able to indulge these interests because the flexibility of the Purchase anthro program allowed me to both double major (anthropology and history) and double minor (museum studies and Asian studies). Having an anthro background has also made me a better historian in my professional work with the US National Park Service.

I had a great experience in anthropology at Purchase. While writing my senior project, which focused on American Sacred Harp singing practices, I was able to do fieldwork in Western Massachusetts, thanks to a student research grant from the School of Natural and Social Sciences at Purchase, which I wouldn’t have been able to do in another program. This also gave me introductory experience with the grant process, which hopefully will come in handy in my future career. The thesis writing process is very collaborative in this department; it was really great to be able to learn not just from my professors but from my peers. I was able to work much more closely with professors at Purchase than I would have in a larger program and develop concrete relationships; Professors Plourde and Kim broadened my theoretical perspective in areas like ethnomusicology and ritual theory while also being very generous with their advice in more practical areas outside the classroom. I was able to T.A. for Intro to Ethnomusicology, which helped me understand the material on a different level as well as develop my skills communicating my ideas to others. I also had the opportunity to participate in the NSS Senior Project Symposium before graduating, which provided great experience presenting my research in a formal setting, as well as the opportunity to see the research of others in my cohort.

As of graduation this spring, I am rounding out my third year as an Interpretive Ranger for the US National Park Service, where my anthropology experience has helped me do a much better job teaching others the history of and unpacking the contradictions that define our nation at sites like Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island National Monument and Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site. This fall, I will start a year-long teaching assistant internship at Technos College in Japan, an opportunity I feel certain I would not have without the support and mentoring from the Purchase Anthropology Department.