A university environment offers an opportunity for students to broaden their learning and shape their understanding of the world, and Trent Margrif wants them to do that every single day. "There are so many resources available and yet far too many students need to be motivated by someone to utilize them." Trent is often that someone, and after their initial complaints students gain a deep appreciation that a professor made them aware of their new surroundings.
Trent is a senior lecturer in First Year Seminar and has taught courses since 2010 on Historic Green Buildings, Mad Science, Time Machine, and War of the Worlds. He previously taught courses on Architectural History, Cultural Landscapes, Grant Writing, and Historic Preservation at the graduate level for the Department of History. His personable approach has earned high praise from students, and he was awarded the Rennie W. Brantz Award for Outstanding Teaching in the First Year Seminar for 2014. His courses begin with a discussion of current events and include relating popular culture to academic majors and disciplines to understand difficult topics.
Trent continues to receive contract work for local history projects and research, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock Historical Society, and the Town of Boone. He currently serves on the local Cultural Resources Advisory Board, was previously a Cultural Resource & Outreach Specialist for App, and a go to resource for the town cemetery and campus history. He earned a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation from Eastern Michigan University and is from the ethnically diverse Upper Peninsula of Michigan. When not avoiding abductions by extraterrestrials, he enjoys hiking and spending time with his wife, Dr. Andrea Burns, who teaches Public History, and 13 year old daughter Amelia and 8 year old Lydia.