At 77 years old, Gordon Eatley reminds us that it’s never too late to pursue a graduate degree.
Although Eatley’s college journey began in his younger years, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation in 2020 at the age of 73. But the COVID pandemic robbed him of the joy of walking across the commencement stage to receive that degree. This turn of events, coupled with a love of learning and a wealth of lived experiences, fueled a desire to earn a master’s degree in history. Eatley looked forward to the day when he could smile proudly and wave to his family as he received another diploma. He earned that diploma -- the M.A. in history -- and walked the stage at UL Lafayette’s College of Liberal Arts commencement in May 2024.
Why Choose the MA History program at UL Lafayette?
When reflecting on his transition to graduate school Eatley shared, “It was challenging, but it’s fun.” Eatley’s decision to pursue a master’s degree in history was not purely academic. He initially enrolled in the MBA program but a chance encounter with a history professor changed the trajectory of his graduate studies. The professor gave him much to think about when he asked, “You have lived through some of the most exciting times in the country, why don’t you study those events?” The excitement that rose in Eatley was something he had never experienced. He recalled fighting in Vietnam, preparing for riots as a member of the military in the wake of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., life during Nixon’s resignation, and flying choppers overseas after 9/11. He also had the opportunity to stand where Joan of Arc had once stood and laid eyes on the beaches of Normandy and the battlefields of World War I and II. He had truly lived history during his own lifetime!
Practicing Public History
Eatley chose to specialize in public history during his graduate studies. When asked about a notable project he quickly highlighted his work on Black veterans of the Civil War, a collaborative project that spanned several semesters and became an exhibit at the Shadows on the Teche Welcome Center. The collaboration between Dr. Ian Beamish, Associate Professor of History at UL Lafayette, and the Shadows on the Teche began by identifying the Black Civil War veterans who fought and returned to New Iberia. In the second semester, students conducted further research on those identified individuals and created the display. The following semester a new group of students continued the research by obtaining access to plantation records in New Iberia. It was not unnoticed by the students how the span of this in-depth project mirrored the continuous evolution of history itself.
Eatley also reminisced enthusiastically on an oral history project he completed in a course taught by Dr. Robert Carriker, Professor of History at UL Lafayette. He conducted interviews with three veterans who served in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan, whose ages ranged from mid-twenties to early eighties. As a public historian, his goal is to present history in a way that everyday people can understand and relate to. This project allowed him the perfect opportunity to accomplish this goal as he learned that voices convey the human aspect and emotional complexities of historical events in ways that a written account never can. For listeners, his project became a personal experience. As the veterans spoke of the brotherhood they developed rather than focusing on the war, fighting, or hardships, Eatley’s audiences were able to better understand what life was like at that moment in time. The great power of oral history, Eatley believes, comes with its ability to reveal the "hidden history" embodied in human narratives that are so often overlooked. “It is the voice,” he explains, “and how the words are said that future historians should benefit from, that is oral history.”
For two months Eatley archived documents and photos from the Vietnam Era. The experience and the connections he made were critical to the success of the project. One of the benefits of pursuing an M.A. in public history at UL Lafayette is the opportunity to utilize professional connections built over the university’s 125 years of service to our state. In particular, Eatley’s internship experience at The Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive in Lubbock, Texas, arose from the History, Geography, and Philosophy department’s internship program, funded by the History program’s Jamie and Thelma Guilbeau Charitable Trust.
The Impact of the MA in History Program
When asked if pursuing a master’s degree in history changed his understanding of historical events, particularly those he experienced firsthand, Eatley replied, “It didn’t clarify individual events any more, but it did show how historians came to those conclusions or interpreted those events.” His response reveals much about the purpose of graduate studies in history.
Beyond being a participant in history, Eatley began to engage with history—his own history—as a scholar who now places his personal experiences within a broader historical context and expands his understanding of their meaning through the work of other historians. Discussions often dove deeper into the media’s influence on historical events. During the Vietnam War, he noted how the media turned on the soldiers. He remembered how his father would send news article clippings while he was there. He learned through those clippings that Walter Cronkite no longer supported the war and that the National Guard had opened fire on protesting students at Kent State. Eatley recalled being spit on and called a “baby killer” in the airport when he returned home from the war.
The misinformation and misunderstanding of the events taking place were difficult to process then, but now, through his own experience and through his graduate studies, he has a deeper understanding of why they were happening. Eatley explained, “Although history has cyclical patterns, it is important to study the details so that we can learn from the past.”
(Eatley’s first unit in Vietnam in 1967. Eatley is pictured second from the left: C BTRY, 2ND BN (ARA), 20TH ARTILLERY, 1ST CAV DIV. Picture taken by Captain Winston Robinson, the platoon leader who was killed in action on September 7, 1967)
Building Relationships Alongside Lifelong Learning
Eatley says he benefitted from the mentorship of all the faculty in the history department. He took three classes with Dr. Robert Carriker and he enjoyed each one immensely. Dr. Carriker is an accomplished public historian who takes time with master’s students to mentor them as historians and as students navigating the academic and administrative challenges of grad school. “His door was always open for help with the subject matter or just light conversations. Each of his classes dealt with Public History in the real world. He answered your questions in a manner that built your confidence and expanded your knowledge beyond just public history” stated Eatley. Eatley was quick to note that it was not just the history professors in the department that made a mark on him. Being in a department of History, Geography, and Philosophy exposed Eatley to other valuable perspectives on his own past. Dr. Micah Dugas, a philosophy instructor, for example, would often connect conversations about philosophy and ethics directly to Eatley’s Vietnam experiences. “Imagine being face-to-face with the enemy you have sworn to kill but when you get close you realize they are people, just like you,” recalled Eatley of the beginning of one of their many deep conversations.
It was not only the faculty whom Eatley developed relationships with. His classmates also played a large role in his success as a graduate student. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with peers from younger generations. The age difference that he feared when enrolling faded quickly as he realized that they were not much different than he was at that age. Appreciating the similarities, he noted: “Different worries, but worries still the same.”
For Eatley, earning an MA in history was not just about gaining knowledge, it was a journey of self-discovery. He encountered trials and triumphs, learning valuable lessons about resilience and determination. In his own words, “The lessons you learn in the master’s program are not just from textbooks and professors. The larger lesson is what you learn about yourself.”
Discover More about the MA in History Program at UL Lafayette
When asked why students should pursue an MA in History Eatley replied, “Earning a master's degree in public history is a demanding yet immensely fulfilling pursuit. It can lead you to diverse locations worldwide, from bustling cities to remote jungles and corporate boardrooms. You will have the opportunity to stand where history unfolded, touch the same banisters once grasped by the likes of Washington and Adams, and wander through graveyards where both prominent figures and the overlooked find their rest. As a public historian, you will play a crucial role in preserving and interpreting history, breathing new vitality into past events. In doing so, you will become a part of history and leave behind a lasting legacy. Through your work, you will enlighten others about our origins and the evolution of our contemporary society.”
Interested in pursuing a master's degree in history? Learn more about the MA in History and Public History program at the 51Ƶ at Lafayette.