By Megan Melone, Writer
Photography via Bella Barbaglia
Isabella Barbaglia is a senior history major. She is the president of the McKendree History Club, plays on the McKendree women’s golf team, and is a member of both, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Alpha Theta honor societies.
I interviewed Bella about her time here at McKendree and her after-school plans:
Where are you from?
BARBAGLIA: I am from St. Louis, Florissant Area, which is like North St. Louis.
Why did you decide to come to McKendree?
BARBAGLIA: I went to Rockhurst in Kansas City, and after my freshman year I decided I didn’t like it. I wanted somewhere closer to home and I was looking at small schools. When I visited McKendree, I loved the campus and had the opportunity to play golf, so I decided to come here.
Why did you choose a history major?
BARBAGLIA: I’ve always loved history; it has always been a big passion of mine. I am hoping to go to law school, and history is one of the majors that really prepares you for the reading and writing that you have to do in law school. Also, once I got connected with the professors here at McKendree, Dr. Lemons and Dr. Thompson, I knew that I wanted to take more of their classes and work with them.
What activities and organizations are you involved in?
BARBAGLIA: I am involved in a lot of activities here on campus. I am president of the History Club; we did the haunted history tour in the fall. I am a part of the women’s golf team. I am also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Alpha Theta honor societies, as well as a member of the McKendreeYoung Feminists.
Tell me about your role as President of the History Club.
BARBAGLIA: It’s pretty low stakes, but it is a really great opportunity to get involved on campus. The History Club has had a long-standing tradition where if you’re a senior, you are automatically the president, but I’ve kind of taken over the leadership role. The big thing was organizing the Haunted History tour, but we had a really great turnout last year and the year before that with about thirty to forty people showing up. Yeah, it’s been really fun to get involved on campus and connect with people who are not history majors but still have an interest in history.
Tell me about women’s golf.
BARBAGLIA: The best thing I can say about it is it’s brought me my best friends. I am really close with the other seniors on the team. We spent a lot of time together on the course, and we have been able to make great connections. It has also taught me time management because I have to manage my school and practice schedule.
Tell me about your work-study job at the campus museum.
BARBAGLIA: Yeah I work on campus here at the Uni museum, and I have been here since my sophomore year. I come in a couple days a week and open up the museum. Not many people come in because we’re kind of hidden on campus, but it’s great when people do come in. They learn a lot about McKendree’s history and some of the cool artifacts we have in here.
What are your after-school plans?
BARBAGLIA: My after-school plans right now are to take a gap year and prepare for law school, so take the LSAT and everything. I plan to go to law school somewhere locally so WashU (Washington University) or SLU (St. Louis University).
Do you know what kind of lawyer you want to be?
BARBAGLIA: I want to go into environmental law. With my history major, I double minored in environmental studies and ethnic studies. All of my varied interests are really helping me prepare for law school.
Do you have any advice for other students?
BARBAGLIA: Make the most of your time here at McKendree, make memories with your friends, but also get involved on campus. Some of my best memories are from some of those involvements like the Haunted History tour, I had a lot of my friends help me out with that. And just cherish every moment you have because it goes by so fast.
