Anderson Reporter

Abigail Goldman Earns Jeeninga Fellowship

Abigail Goldman, public history major with minors in journalism and peace and conflict transformation, has earned the Jeeninga Fellowship at Anderson University. Dr. Gustav Jeeninga established the fellowship with donations during his lifetime to support an AU student on an archaeological dig in the region where biblical materials are found. 

“Abigail came to AU as an Honors Scholar with a strong interest in history, and she has been very energetic about seeking opportunities to develop a really broad range of historical abilities,” said Dr. David Murphy, professor of history. “The fellowship committee was impressed by her outstanding academic record, and an application essay that displayed enthusiasm, knowledge and an empathetic feel for the chance to study cultures of the past through the study of surviving artifacts. Abigail’s commitment to studying the archaeological evidence from the founding era of the Christian Church is a great expression of Professor Jeeninga’s enduring legacy here at AU.”

Goldman will participate for four weeks in excavations at Jezreel in northern Israel. The excavations will be focused on the history of Roman Palestine, specifically unearthing and evaluating building remains from the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian, perhaps the greatest of Rome’s second-century emperors.

The remains come from the time when the empire was at the very peak of its political might and spatial reach, and they are extraordinarily important for understanding the structures of Roman rule in the provinces.

“This will be a very unique opportunity for Abigail to learn about the field work done by archaeologists that is the background for so much that we know in biblical studies and for many public history projects related to the ancient world,” said Dr. Nathan Willowby, dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry.

Goldman’s work will be part of a program run by the University of Hawaii, and she will be receiving history credit through AU.

“With this fellowship, I am able to pursue something that I have wanted to do since I was child,” said Goldman. “This particular excavation combines being outdoors, history, and my faith, creating the perfect opportunity that I am so grateful to have. While I am uncertain on what the future may hold, my hope is to continue pursuing archaeology, whether in field school or a graduate program.”

Original source can be found here.