While watching the movie Into the Wild for the first time, history teacher Samuel Abramson realized with astonishment that he was on the theater screen. He recalled that the main character, Christopher McCandless, attended his alma mater, Emory University. The director had filmed the graduation processional in alphabetical order, granting Abramson a brief cameo in the film.

After graduating from Emory, Abramson earned his doctorate in American history from Rice University. There, he taught a small seminar on writing skills. For Abramson, the transition from teaching college students to underclassmen has been a significant change, but he enjoys working with his freshman and junior students.

“St. John’s is a place where [students and teachers] get a lot of support and encouragement,” Abramson said.

As a 20th-century historian, Abramson’s goal is to connect the past to current political situations, social movements and culture. Abramson is a firm believer in improving students’ writing through analytical thinking.

“No matter what field you pursue, analytical thinking will always be a major factor,” Abramson said.

According to Abramson’s students, his passion for teaching is evident through his emphasis on analytical writing intertwined with historical concepts.

“History is my favorite subject; Dr. Abramson does a great job getting the whole class involved and gives people room to explain their thinking,” freshman Pete Curtis said. “I am definitely going to grow both as a writer and researcher in his class.”

In his free time, Abramson, a Kentucky native, enjoys watching basketball, playing soccer and watching the British Broadcasting Channel’s Sherlock with his wife.

History Department Chair Wendall Zartman believes that Dr. Abramson has transitioned well into life at St. John’s.

“He’s a quick learner,” Zartman said. “He is doing more to help himself by observing classes and asking a multitude of questions, not just to his history colleagues — that’s the best way to learn.”