Robert Sutton: WSU grad to become park service chief historian
One of the first students with a public history doctorate from WSU took his degree farther than anyone expected.
Robert Sutton will take over one of the most esteemed historian positions in the federal government on Oct. 1. As the chief historian of the National Park Service, Sutton said he will oversee the 390 national parks in the United States and administer park service programs.
In January, approximately 60 candidates applied for the position, Sutton said. While he waited to hear the final word, Sutton continued his 12-year career as the Superintendent of the Manassas National Battlefield Park. After a suspenseful six months, the National Park Service announced its decision to hire Sutton on Aug. 30.
“This is like being the head of the CIA in my mind,” said David Stratton, history professor and dissertation adviser to Sutton during his graduate studies at WSU.
Stratton said Sutton called him immediately after hearing the news.
“It didn’t surprise me to hear that he was hired,” Stratton said.
Sutton realized his calling in the seventh grade after he learned that his descendants trekked across the nation on the Oregon Trail. His great-grandfather was 17 years old and his great-grandmother was just 3 weeks old when they made the covered-wagon journey. Sutton said he felt he had a connection with them and was inspired to learn more.
“I devoured every single book on the Oregon Trail I could get my hands on,” he said. “The librarian couldn’t find books fast enough.” Sutton excelled from the moment he began his studies at WSU, Stratton said. His dissertation on Greek revival architecture made waves throughout the nation.
“It received the best reviews you could ever dream of,” Stratton said....
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Robert Sutton will take over one of the most esteemed historian positions in the federal government on Oct. 1. As the chief historian of the National Park Service, Sutton said he will oversee the 390 national parks in the United States and administer park service programs.
In January, approximately 60 candidates applied for the position, Sutton said. While he waited to hear the final word, Sutton continued his 12-year career as the Superintendent of the Manassas National Battlefield Park. After a suspenseful six months, the National Park Service announced its decision to hire Sutton on Aug. 30.
“This is like being the head of the CIA in my mind,” said David Stratton, history professor and dissertation adviser to Sutton during his graduate studies at WSU.
Stratton said Sutton called him immediately after hearing the news.
“It didn’t surprise me to hear that he was hired,” Stratton said.
Sutton realized his calling in the seventh grade after he learned that his descendants trekked across the nation on the Oregon Trail. His great-grandfather was 17 years old and his great-grandmother was just 3 weeks old when they made the covered-wagon journey. Sutton said he felt he had a connection with them and was inspired to learn more.
“I devoured every single book on the Oregon Trail I could get my hands on,” he said. “The librarian couldn’t find books fast enough.” Sutton excelled from the moment he began his studies at WSU, Stratton said. His dissertation on Greek revival architecture made waves throughout the nation.
“It received the best reviews you could ever dream of,” Stratton said....