Matthew Klena
Matthew Klena
MA Student
I grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania before attending SUNY Maritime College, in New York’s Bronx, for my undergraduate degree. After graduating from Maritime, I worked as a civilian aboard a supply ship attached to a carrier strike group, where I sailed throughout the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Arabian Sea. I switched jobs to work on an oil rig off the coast of Louisiana for two years before attending The George Washington University. I always wanted to pursue a degree in the humanities, so I decided on American Studies because I was attracted to the program's interdisciplinary nature, and I chose GW because of the diverse faculty. Also, what better place to study America than in our nation’s capital?
Where did you go for undergrad, and what did you study?
I attended SUNY Maritime College in The Bronx and received a Marine Transportation degree with a USCG Unlimited Third Mate license to sail as an officer aboard Merchant Ships. After graduating, I used the degree to sail with the United States Navy’s auxiliary supply fleet and worked on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.
If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?
I would have to go with the Fox. Foxes have a bad reputation which I never thought they deserved. They are cunning creatures who are dedicated to their families. I admire their adaptability in urban and rural environments, and they are known to work with other species of animals in times of need. They are playful and mischievous but can become images of confidence and courage when the situation demands it.
Is there one book/piece of media that inspired you to pursue the field of American Studies? If so, which one and why?
It is difficult to narrow it down into one book, but Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian further ignited my interest in American Studies and emboldened my decision to pursue this degree. The novel provides a fascinating look into the American psyche that challenges the dominant narratives of westward expansion. After reading the book, I wanted to pursue a degree that would garner the skills needed to approach complex pieces of literature and history, such as Blood Meridian, so I chose American Studies at George Washington.
What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty and Other Essays. It is a good read on liberty, individual freedoms, and what participation in a democracy should look like.