Graduating Senior Spotlight: Teagan Londo

What brought you to the University of Minnesota and how did you end up choosing your major(s) and minor(s)?

Early in high school, I knew I wanted to go to UMN, as I had loved Minneapolis whenever I had visited. Growing up surrounded by history and art history, UMN was an obvious choice with the strength of the art history and history departments. 

Which CLA class or professor has had the biggest impact on you? Why?

Jennifer Marshall, as an art history professor, worked hard to make unknown subjects approachable and realistic, while also maintaining a great relationship with her students. 

What course would you recommend for other students in your major? And for students outside of your major, what course would be a good introduction to what you study?

ARTH 3021 - Art and Revolution, 1789-1889 with Laura Kalba, or ARTH 3401W - Art on Trial with Jane Blocker. For non-art history majors, I suggest ARTH 3005 - Identity and American Art with Jenn Marshall, it is a great class to start to understand how to interpret art. It covers pre-republic United States art, up until modern day. The group-based work in the class means you don't have to struggle alone, and Jenn [Marshall] makes the class so fun. You get to see pieces you definitely know, like American Gothic, and understand why they're so popular in the first place.

Tell us about a class you still think a lot about.

HIST 3418 - Drink in History with Patrick McNamara. I only took this class last semester, but understanding how much the United States government controls the means of production and the majority of the population losing faith in higher authority figures is something that I will never forget. The way Professor McNamara presents information as historically important, while relating it to modern issues, is extremely important.

What has been your favorite part of your experience with your department(s) and within your major(s) and minor(s)?

Getting to meet so many professionals within my department. Last fall (2023), I started the art history club with other art history majors, and since then, getting to build a community surrounding this niche major has been so rewarding.

What is one aspect of your major or minor that has surprised you? What do you wish more people understood about what you study?

The modern application! Every time I tell people I'm studying art history, they ask, "So, what, you're going to work in a museum?" And yes, that is a career path, but there is so much more to art history than that. The applications are endless, so many of the things we value in life can be seen through an art historical lens. Look at the Super Bowl halftime show from this year!

What are some ways you have found community within your major/minor department(s)? 

Starting a club has been amazing, getting to meet people who share my interests and goals has been so validating.

Which of the core career competencies do you think will help you the most in your future career?

Analytical & Critical Thinking; being able to problem solve and work towards ambiguous answers is so challenging, but fun.

What's next for you? What are your post-graduation plans?

I plan to get a job in the area, working in a community arts building. Eventually, I plan on returning to school for a master's degree.

If you had the world's attention for 30 seconds, what would you say?

We need to remember that we're all a part of one human race, and the fact that subjective borders and states of citizenship have caused this much dissent between different populations is atrocious. Not treating each other with respect and acceptance is the worst development in the recent era.

Is there an app you hate but use anyways?

DuoPush Mobile.

If you could be any member on a TV show, who would you be?

I'd want to be in The Good Place.