Millsaps College was in Connor Sutton’s plans from the get-go.
Sutton, who is from Biloxi, Mississippi and attended St. Patrick’s Catholic High School, was interested in Millsaps because his mother graduated from the college. Shortly after coming to campus, he realized the true value of Millsaps: its community.
“The true value of Millsaps is in the colleagues I meet and the close relationships I have with my professors,” he said.
“It really creates an atmosphere “where everybody knows your name.”
Sutton has made the most of the college’s focus on experiential learning. He has worked as an intern for a lobbying firm and as a tour guide at the Mississippi State Capitol. He also performed research for a local writer.
His most valuable experience as an intern was working as a tour guide at the Mississippi State Capitol.
“It gave me first-hand experience with how the public interprets history,” he said.
“I think some historians lack an understanding of how everyday people see history, and I was able to develop soft skills like public speaking and interacting with people I may not know.”
“You can’t teach that in a classroom, and I found it really valuable.”
Sutton also participated in one of the college’s most popular experiential learning opportunities. In the summer of 2023, he spent time studying and traveling in Europe as a part of Millsaps’ renowned study abroad program. While overseas, he spent time studying and visiting Dublin, Rome and France.
“A lot of times, students think studying abroad is just an international vacation with some class time,” he said.
“But the class was different because the professor didn’t just sit down and read the material. We studied by visiting museums and experiencing the culture. When we weren’t in class, we were able to travel on the weekends and visit places like the Vatican. It was an experience that enabled me to be independent and have a European vacation on training wheels.”
Dr. William Storey, professor of history and associate dean of arts and humanities at Millsaps, taught the study abroad course Sutton participated in.
“He has been taking full advantage of opportunities in the history department for engaged learning,” Storey said.
Sutton also finds ways to experience the vibrant campus community. He is active with Lambda Chi fraternity and works in set construction and lighting design with the college’s theatre program, the Millsaps Players.
This year, Sutton is participating in Millsaps’ Ford Fellowship program. As a Ford fellow, he has taken advantage of opportunities to discern what his chosen career of professorship would be like.
The fellowship also includes a research component, which Sutton is especially excited about.
“The research portion covers the other half of being a professor—creating new works and adding to the knowledge of the field,” he said.
Sutton’s research project will focus on the history of a plantation in Madison County located less than 30 minutes from campus.
“I’m interested in seeing how something like a plantation still echoes from the past; it affects everything from how modern neighborhoods are laid out to what things are named,” he said.
Although he has less than two years left at Millsaps, Sutton already has a plan for his future. He intends on attending graduate school and eventually earning a Ph.D. in history. After that, he wants to share his love of history with the next generation of students as a professor.
“Being a Ford fellow gives me the experience to teach a class while also learning about the behind-the-scenes work, such as how to interact with staff and faculty,” he said.
“I’m able to get the experience of actually standing in front of the classroom and talking to students about things I care about, but I’m also getting a full picture of what the career will be like.”
Dr. Storey is working with Sutton as an advisor for the fellowship. Storey sees a bright future ahead for Sutton and is excited to see him pursue a career in history.
“Connor is an outstanding student, inside and outside of the classroom,” Storey said.
“He has helped me to teach an introductory class about British and Irish history while conducting independent research on Mississippi plantations. His positive attitude and interpersonal skills will help in any career. I am delighted that he is considering a career as a historian.”