Digging Deeper, Thinking Bigger: Trevor Chrzan’s Approach to History
Trevor Chrzan
The UAF College of Liberal Arts proudly recognizes Trevor Chrzan as one of the 2024–2025 Outstanding Students in the Department of History.
Trevor Chrzan has built a reputation among his professors as a thoughtful, rigorous scholar whose curiosity and dedication to research set him apart. Though his path to the Outstanding Student of the Year award might seem quiet from the outside, those who have worked with him know just how deeply he engages with the discipline of history.
“Trevor is the kind of student who goes beyond what professors ask students to do in the classroom,” says Mary Ludwig, Assistant Professor in the UAF Department of History. “When he is introduced to new information, he engages in supplementary research to better understand the material and ask informed questions. In my twenty years of teaching, I have rarely had a student who delves as deeply into research as he does, and is then able to contribute to conversations at such an advanced level.”
A dedicated member of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, Chrzan exemplifies the historian’s craft. His approach to learning is not merely about earning grades—it's about asking bigger questions, challenging assumptions, and cultivating a nuanced understanding of the past.
“I've had Trevor in two of my classes,” says Associate Professor Phil Wight. “Trevor is the kind of student most professors hope will enroll in their classes. He's intellectually curious and is always asking questions to better understand historical topics. He is fascinated by primary sources and is constantly hunting for more evidence. Trevor strives to improve his writing and arguments as he is pursuing a research topic. And perhaps most important of all, he's a gracious and humble person who is devoted to truth for its own sake.”
In the classroom, Chrzan’s presence raises the bar for discussion. He brings a willingness to challenge prevailing narratives, while always showing respect and humor—a balance that fosters genuine dialogue among his peers.
“Trevor was an exceptional student in my course,” adds Tyler Kirk, Arthur T. Fathauer Chair of the department. “His writing is lucid and well-organized. He writes with evidence and thinks through big ideas as a historian should.”
Chrzan’s academic contributions speak volumes. His professors describe him as a student of rare dedication—someone who embodies the historian’s commitment to evidence, critical inquiry, and thoughtful debate.
As he closes this chapter at UAF, Chrzan’s future is bright, grounded in the skills and values he has honed during his time in the UAF Department of History.