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Mercy Bell
Major: History
Academic Year: Senior
Hometown: San Diego, CA and New Bedford, MA
"My fellow students were my education. So many of the causes I hold near and dear to my heart, I learned about from friends."
How does your major fit into your life’s plan?
History is necessary to understand the world, and I love the world. Global warming and globalization? Has its roots in recent history. Immigration and human rights? Has its roots in history. The Red Sox vs. Yankees rivalry? History!
What makes UMass Dartmouth so special?
It's a state school so it's open to everyone. It's egalitarian, and it still has the power to open our minds with quality. The kids here are diverse. If you want jocks, you got ‘em. If you want English major cinephiles, you got ‘em. If you want quirky hippies, you got ‘em. It's fair. It's real. It's quality for the masses.
Tell us about a great experience or opportunity you’ve had here at UMass Dartmouth?
Spring 2007 was one ongoing magnificent experience of activism and blooming friendship. I've been involved with social activism on campus since 2005, and I love to take advantage of the cultural opportunities available to us here (movie screenings, guest lecturers, panels, some of my most enlightening moments have been these out-of-class experiences), but the immigration raid in New Bedford last March, plus the impending graduation of a lot of my friends put us all on high gear and we sort of blissfully burned ourselves out planning events, going to events, and just hanging out with one another.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Get involved; talk to professors; mix up your activities, clubs, and classes. Don't be afraid to move in and out of groups of people.
What’s one thing at UMass Dartmouth that no student should miss?
Take advantage of all the free cultural events and the events your professors hold, and help create them, too! I met one of my good friends at one of these during the Q&A; I got a job by volunteering at Bioneers; I got to listen to author John Perkins and Rwanda genocide survivor Paul Rusesabagina; I've learned African and Wampanoag dancing, etc. It's so cool.
