Hilary Folwell Jebitsch '96

“CGP laid the foundation for my professional development and provided remarkable opportunities in the museum field."   

Hilary currently serves as CGA Board President (2009-2011) and is the Historic Site Administrator at Washington Crossing Historic Park, managed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC).  Prior to this role she was a site curator and Eastern Regional Curator for the PHMC.  Hilary is also part of the adjunct faculty for the Bucks County Community College, Historic Preservation Program.  She graduated from CGP in 1996 and from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1994.  Hilary has a well established background in collections care, exhibit development, museum management, and community development. 

Kate Betz '07

Kate is currently the Adult Programs Developer at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas. She has previously worked at the New York State Historical Association and The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, New York, at the Middlesex County Historical Society in Middletown, Connecticut and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. She has completed a variety of projects including: researching, planning, and installing exhibitions; working with elementary, high school and special needs educational programming; and coordinating museum events including a statewide history conference, evening lecture series, and adult educational programming.

Liz Callahan '93

“The reason I got into museums was my commitment to improve communities on a grassroots level. They play a crucial role in the development of public respect and understanding.”

Liz (CGA Board Member) is currently Director of the Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith, New York; a position she has held since 2001. The Mill's authentic and extensively documented site infuses the Museum's unique interpretation and activities with realism. During her time there she has been integral in making the museum more accessible to residents of the surrounding area through popular on site education workshops and festivals. Liz also has served as an adjunct professor for the program since her graduation, offering valuable contributions to museum marketing and business development seminars. She is also active in the Otsego County community through leadership positions in “Friends of the Parks” in Cooperstown, NY and the local chapter of the United Way.

Brian Howard '87

“The two years spent at the Cooperstown Conservation Program proved invaluable in preparing me for my career and the establishment of a long lasting network of friends and colleagues.”

Brian is currently the chief conservator for B. R. Howard & Associates, Inc., in Carlisle, PA., a company specializing in the conservation of three dimensional and macro artifacts.  The practice was established in 1995 after many years as senior artifacts conservator for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.  Currently the company is treating four Presidential horse drawn vehicles for the Studebaker National Museum including the vehicle used by Pres. Lincoln on the night of his assassination; artifacts from the Army Heritage Center and Civil War artifacts for the State Museum of PA are also being conserved.  Brian currently serves as Treasurer of the American Institute of Conservation and for the Foundation for the American Institute of Conservation Board of Directors.

John Ott '67

"After almost 40 years as a museum director I can honestly say, there is still no graduate program in museum studies that provides a better platform for success in this field, than the integrated course and practical experiences found in the CGP."

John has been a member of the CGA for years serving on its board (2002 -present) and its President (2006-2008). Retiring from the Scottish Rite Masonic National Heritage Museum in Lexington, MA, in 2008. He most recently served in 2009 as interim Director of the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, MA. John spent 37 years as an Executive Director of such museums as Hancock Shaker Village, the Atlanta Historical Society, the Baltimore and Ohio Railwoad Museum and the National Heritage Museum. He is currently President of the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area, and on the boards of the Orchard House in Concord, MA and the Devens Historical Museum. He is an elected member of the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester.

Margaret (Peggy) Parsons '70

“I believe that CGP offers a unique experience in a unique setting that has not been matched elsewhere.”

Peggy (CGA Board Member, 2009-2011) is head of the Film Department at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She has overseen the programming and managing of film events as well as film retrospectives, and she is responsible for overseeing a large collection of art films and videos, producing brochures and program notes, and introducing public film programs. Parsons heads an advisory committee of internationally recognized film scholars that meets annually to review film exhibition at  the National Gallery.  Subsequent to her role at the National Gallery of Art, Parsons held positions at the Smithsonian Institution, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Children’s Museum, Boston.

John Pentangelo '05

“CGP is the unsurpassed forerunner in producing future leaders in the museum and arts world.”

John (CGA Board Member, 2005-2011) currently works for the United States Navy at the Naval War College Museum in Newport, Rhode Island. Previously he served as curator/development coordinator at the USS Constellation Museum in Baltimore, MD. During his time there, he completed the exhibit Damn the Torpedoes: Leadership at Sea in the Civil War in the recently restored wardroom and officers' quarters. Throughout 2008, he spearheaded several initiatives to commemorate USS Constellation's role in fighting the transatlantic slave trade before the Civil War. His efforts resulted in the passage of House Resolution 1159 and Senate Resolution 540. John also serves as Vice President of the Small Museum Association.

Bridget Rigas '02

“I loved my experience at CGP. It will change your life.”

Bridget (CGA Board Member, 2009-2011) is currently the Associate Director for Development at the Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, NY. Prior to this, she was Associate Director of the Paleontological Research Institute Museum of the Earth, where she oversaw a 12 million dollar expansion of their educational facility. Bridget is a board member for Kitchen Theater and Ithaca Forward, both in Ithaca, NY; and chairs the regional arts consortium group Arts Otsego.

Lisa Sorenson-Stahl '01

“The CGP faculty first fostered my interest in exhibit design.  Since then I have developed an interest in how specific cultures are portrayed in the museum environment."

Lisa (CGA Board Member) is a lecturer at the State University College at Oneonta, in the Anthropology Department.  She is currently teaching World Culture, Visual Anthropology, and Exhibiting Cultures in Museums. She hopes to instill in her students a sense of responsibility and reverence when it comes to exhibiting cultures other than their own. Sorensen-Stahl also works as a consultant for museum exhibit design projects for such institutions as The Farmers’ Museum, Fenimore Art Museum and the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York. She has designed and installed forty exhibits.  Until January 2007, Sorensen-Stahl worked full-time as the Manager of Education/Public Programs at Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, New York. 

Ann Stewart-Honicker '78

“The network of alumni and friends of CGP is unprecedented in its breadth and reach.”

Ann (CGA Board Member, 2009-2011) reconnected with CGP after spending 24 years in New York City; and is currently Administrative Assistant for the graduate program and the Historical Society of Early American Decoration. In this role she oversees the publication of the quarterly CGP newsletter and contributes to the daily operations of the program. Previously, Ann served as Director of the Photo Library for Black Star Publishing Company and subsequently photo researcher for Reader’s Digest General Books. An active member of the local community as well, Ann chairs the Cooperstown Central School “Friends of Music and Art” program.

Josh Torrance '00

“My experience at CGP informed and shaped my passion for the vital role museums play in the life and shape of a community.”

Joshua (CGA Board Member) is the Executive Director of the Woodlawn Museum in Ellsworth, Maine. Under his direction, the museum completed a million dollar capital campaign, preserved its buildings, completed an interpretation plan, and created audio tours. Woodlawn has also reconnected to the community with various initiatives/activities including: educational workshops and lectures, forging program partnerships with other organizations, the development of a community garden, implementing a croquet program, and utilizing the estates property as a public park. Active in many community groups, Joshua is married with two children and is an active marathon runner. In addition to his Cooperstown degree, Joshua holds a BA in History from Elmira College and a MA in Public History from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Mark Turdo '06

Mark is the Assistant Curator at Fort Ticonderoga.

Tobi Voigt '06

“I am grateful for the well-rounded education I received at CGP. I went into my first job prepared for everything from budgets to program management to collections care. I chose CGP because I felt it would provide a solid foundation for my future work in the museum field, and it exceeded my expectations.”

As the Manager of Statewide Programs at the New York State Historical Association, Tobi coordinates New York State’s National History Day program and provides professional development for social studies educators across the state. Prior to moving to New York to attend the graduate program, Tobi worked at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm in Michigan. Tobi joined the graduate association board as its Secretary in 2008, and is currently the chair of the Fall Fundraising Committee.

Stacey Ward '99

“I value the CGP curriculum that allows students to gain a broad understanding of the museum field while also gaining expertise in specialized study.”

Stacy (CGA Board Member) currently serves as the Coordinator of Instructional Services at the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES. In this capacity, Stacy works closely with school district administrators and teachers providing professional development and facilitating school improvement initiatives. Prior to this position, Stacy was the Instructional Services Data Analyst and Technology Trainer.  Stacy’s teaching experience includes serving as the founding History Teacher at the Brighter Choice Charter Schools. Stacy began her career in Statewide Programming at the NYS Historical Association. Earning her Bachelors Degree from the University of Notre Dame and Masters Degrees from CGP and SUNY Albany, Stacy has a strong background in professional development, curriculum-based instructional planning and school improvement initiatives.

Tara White '98

“The intimate classroom setting at CGP makes it an ideal destination for students seeking to build relationships that last a lifetime.”

Tara (CGA Board Member, 2009-2011) is currently a doctoral candidate in Public History at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Prior to this, she taught courses in American social history, historical research, and class, race and gender at the Cooperstown Graduate Program during the 2007-08 academic year. Tara was formerly the site director for the Alabama State Capitol, as well as the Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station, both managed by the Alabama Historical Commission in Montgomery. She has worked with a number of history museums and historic sites in various capacities, notably the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture at Alabama State University and National Museum of American History among others.