Special Collections and Archives blog

NAU Class of 2024 Spotlight: Zadie Henthorn

With commencement just around the corner, Special Collections & Archives is thrilled to spotlight Student Assistant Zadie Henthorn, NAU Class of 2024. Zadie will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Museum Studies this summer and attending the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in the fall to pursue a Master’s in Library and Information Sciences.

Zadie began their career as an SCA Student Assistant in the fall of 2023. They have worked collaboratively with Archivist and Collections Manager Melissa Lawton to create an inventory of collection materials in SCA’s vault, which are predominantly photographic and audiovisual, and rehouse collections in need of a little TLC. Zadie has lent their hand to collections such as the Camp Navajo Environmental Restoration Reports and the Richard (Dick) Sprang Collection.

Zadie Henthorn in the Special Collections & Archives vault.

SCA staff caught up with Zadie to ask about their work in Special Collections & Archives and how it will inform their life and career post-graduation.

SCA: You’ve worked on a number of projects in SCA, assisting with intake of materials and reprocessing the Camp Navajo Environmental Restoration Reports as well as inventorying photographic and moving image material in the SCA vault. Which of the tasks or projects you have worked on has been most interesting to you, and why?

ZH: The most interesting project I’ve worked on has definitely been inventorying the vault. Especially the second range of material that holds old or oversized books, large photographs, and miscellaneous boxes of material (one even entirely uncatalogued!) I think it just shows the sheer amount of stuff that’s unprocessed, and the different ways things have been processed over the years. It’s a good look into the past of the collection we have, and also a good reminder on why we have specific archival practices.

SCA:  What materials that you’ve seen in the vault have stood out to you or are your favorites, and why?

ZH: I love the Dick Sprang collection, but that’s just because I love Batman and I think seeing the history of it is so cool. I also find older photographs – say, around the early 1900s – super fascinating to look at. Additionally, there is a surprising amount of men in Drag throughout the collections, and I don’t know why they’re there, but I love it.

SCA: How does your work here in SCA connect to your studies at NAU? ZH: As a history major getting a minor in museum studies, this job has furthered my interest in working within the general field of museums, archives, and special collections. I feel like I’ve learned so much about how archival spaces work, practices for processing and preservation, shelving, and just in general the different jobs people do in spaces like this. I’ve gotten a deeper understanding and appreciation for archive jobs and how much I enjoy the work done in them.

Zadie working with collection materials.

SCA: How has working in SCA informed what you’re thinking of in terms of your career or working life after NAU?

ZH: After graduating NAU, I am pursuing a Master’s in Library and Information Sciences at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. This job in general has given me the opportunity to work within the field that I plan to pursue as a career, and taught me so much basic information about libraries and archival spaces that I feel more confident in pursuing both a Master’s degree and work in this field. I’m excited to learn more as I go forward with grad school and my career.

SCA:  Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience working in SCA?

ZH: I genuinely think that this is the best job I’ve ever had. Everyone who works in SCA is so kind, knowledgeable and funny. I love the work I do, but the people really make the job. I am going to miss everyone so much!

The staff of Special Collections & Archives thank Zadie for their excellent work as an SCA Student Assistant and congratulate them on their upcoming graduation as a member of the class of 2024! We wish Zadie continued success in their life beyond NAU, and we cannot wait for them to share all they have learned as they continue their education at the University of Illinois.

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