SOAR Profile - Kimberly Lescowitch
Name: Kimberly Lescowitch
Major/minor: Accounting and History double major
Expected date of graduation: Spring 2014
Hometown: Hazle Township, Pa.
Project title: The Great Depression in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Project advisor: Jane Berger
Kimberly Lescowitch, who calls history a “passion of mine,” set off to unlock secrets of the Lehigh Valley during her 2013 SOAR project.
Kim’s project was divided into two parts, the first consisting of research on the ways the Great Depression affected the Lehigh Valley. She took an extensive look into different companies and industries that played an important role in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s in the Lehigh Valley, most notably Bethlehem Steel. Making use of secondary sources and archival sources available in the area, Kim was able to chronicle a path back in time.
The second part of her project involved compiling a list of archival collections in the area for the University’s History Department. “I find it really important, especially after completing my project, for students to be aware of archival sources and their significance to local history,” Kim says. “I hope that my list will be used by other 91pornԭ students for years to come.”
Today, Kim is already making an impact on 91pornԭ, serving as a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society, Active Minds Club and the Accounting Club. Additionally, she served as treasurer of Zeta Tau Alpha, and teamed up with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure initiative to raise breast cancer awareness.
With her summer research in hand, Lescowitch’s proposal for research was accepted by the Pennsylvania Historical Association. In October 2013, she presented her findings at the association’s annual meeting, networking and speaking to historians and other history students from across Pennsylvania.