Tommy Gartman is a first-year MA student in American Studies with a concentration in Museums and Material Culture. His interests range from post-war American life to consumer culture and globalization. He's originally from Atlanta, Georgia and is an avid film and music fan.
Where did you go for undergrad and what did you study there?
I went to Tufts University for undergrad and received a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Why did you choose GW?
I chose GW because of the fantastic faculty and the opportunity to take courses in material culture and museum studies in conjunction with the Smithsonian.
If you were tasked with introducing yourself to a person only by recommending to them one film, which would you choose?
That's tough – there's a few I want to say! But if pressed I'd say The Talented Mr. Ripley. I recommend it to anyone who will listen!
What are you currently reading?
I'm between books right now, but just finished The Master of Go by Yasunari Kawabata. It's a really wonderful novel (and a great crash course for the game of Go) dealing with old traditions passing into new ones, the inevitability of age and decline, and how we respond to our own expectations and feelings. Found it at Goodwill and was very happy I shelled out those 2 dollars!