This is a guest blog written by Drew Van De Wielle of. Drew graduated from Ball State University in December 2011, with a B.S. in Public History/Business Administration & Marketing. He worked as an intern at the Museum from January through May. He is a 2007 graduate of St. Joseph’s High School in South Bend, and has also worked at United Beverage Distribution Company. Drew enjoys learning about South Bend’s rich industrial heritage and playing on a softball team for Barnaby’s.
Hello my name is Drew Van De Wielle South Bend native and Curator at the Studebaker National Museum. Before being hired for the full-time position of Curator, I was an intern from January through April.
My internship was a well-rounded experience. I was originally hired to gain experience with handling museum collections and to get an idea of how a successful small museum is run on a day-to-day basis. What I got was so much more than just sitting back and watching. I had my hands in every aspect of the Museum; from working with the Marketing Director on press release packets to cataloguing artifacts that were destined for permanent safe-keeping in the Museum’s collections.
The work environment at the Museum is one of constant effort and encouragement. The staff is filled with warm and inviting personalities that make it easy to learn and communicate. In the short time that I have been here I have learned a great deal about how to be successful in the non-profit business world.
The Studebaker National Museum exists to enrich the Studebaker experience and the foundation that put South Bend on the map. In the years to come, I am hoping to further enhance my knowledge and give back as much as I can to the Museum and the community as a whole.
