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How I Got Here: Dr. Jody Sowell

by Laura Geiser

02/01/2023

¶¶Òőpro alumnus Dr. Jody Sowell (Grad A&S '11) is the president of the Missouri Historical Society.

Jody Sowell poses for a portrait outside
 

1972

Sowell is born in Memphis, Tennessee. He moves to Arkansas in third grade but returns to Memphis during high school.

1991

He enrolls at Southern Methodist University.

“The first thing I wanted to be as a kid was a preacher. Then I wanted to go into advertising, and it wasn’t until I got to college that I got on the journalism career path.”

1994

While in college, Sowell begins working at The Dallas Morning News.

“I started by writing obituaries — some of the most interesting people I ever met; they just happened to be dead.”

Also that year, he meets his wife, Shannon, and they get engaged. They wed two years later.

1996

Sowell moves to Columbia, Missouri, to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He starts teaching and becomes an editor at the Columbia Missourian, which is produced by student reporters and photographers with faculty editors.

The Sowells pose in front of outdoor columns at the University of Missouri

Sowell and his wife, Shannon, at the University of Missouri

1998

He completes his master’s degree.

“We had planned on moving on after graduation, but I had fallen in love with teaching and editing at the Missourian, so we stayed.”

2000

Sowell’s daughter Savannah is born and becomes a frequent newsroom visitor.

2003

Hoping to continue on an academic career path, Sowell and his family move to St. Louis, and he begins a doctorate in American studies at ¶¶Òőpro.

“I was attracted to SLU American studies because of its focus on urban and community history.”

Sowell holds his newborn daughter while the eldest daughter sits on his lap
Sowell and Savannah with baby Vienna

2004

Sowell’s second daughter, Vienna, is born. He also begins adjunct teaching at SLU, as well as at Fontbonne University and Washington University in St. Louis. He still teaches at SLU as often as his schedule allows.

“I get a lot of energy from teaching. I get recharged by talking to students about their views.”

2006

He receives a contract job conducting oral histories for the exhibit “Flight City” at the Missouri History Museum.

“My family had fallen in love with St. Louis, and we knew this was where we wanted to raise the girls. We also knew that the job would slow my progress on the doctorate, but we decided I should take the job in case it would lead to other things.”

 

Sowell wears a graduation cap and gown while posing with his family at SLU commencement
Sowell and his family at SLU commencement ceremonies

2011

He graduates from SLU.

“The way that I look at cities, place and history mostly comes from my work in American studies at SLU. That program helped me think about cities in layers — you’re not just thinking about a place as a population, a grid on a map or architecture. You’re also thinking about the arts, culture and public places that make a place so special. In my work, I’m trying to give people a thick description of St. Louis from all of these different layers and perspectives.”

2012

Working full-time as a public historian at the Missouri Historical Society, he creates the “Our Olympics” exhibit about the first Olympics held in the United States.

2014

Now director of exhibitions and research at MHS, he leads the team that creates “250 in 250,” an exhibit that commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of St. Louis through the stories of 50 people, 50 places, 50 objects, 50 images and 50 moments.

“This exhibit ushered in a series of attendance gains the likes of which we had never seen at MHS.”

Under his leadership, the museum opens eight of its 10 most-visited exhibits. These include “#1 in Civil Rights,” “A Walk in 1875 St. Louis” and “Route 66: Main Street Through St. Louis.”

2020

He oversees the museum’s efforts during the pandemic, leading to the “Uplifting STL” social media series and “St. Louis Strong” video. The MHS team wins the Silver Lining Award from the Association of Midwest Museums.

“It was recognition that people are looking to use the past to better plan the future, to get through difficult times.”

Sowell stands in front of a large "STL" sculpture at the Missouri History Museum. Text overlays reading "STL History Minute, Missouri Historical Society""
Sowell hosts an installment of the "STL History Minute."

2021

Sowell makes his debut as host of the “STL History Minutes,” informational commercials that air on KMOV-TV during CBS Sunday Morning.

“The reaction has been overwhelming. I did not realize that many people watched Sunday morning television. I now have strangers coming up to me all the time who say, ‘Hey, you’re the history guy!’”

2022

He is named president of the Missouri Historical Society and is committed to telling more stories that can give visitors — in person or online — a better understanding of American history through the lens of St. Louis.

“We oftentimes ask people to share their own memories, which helps them realize that they’re part of history. History is not something that happened to other people. History is what happened to you and your family. And it’s what we’re living through today.”

¶¶Òőpro Universitas

Universitas, the award-winning alumni magazine of ¶¶Òőpro, is distributed to SLU alumni, parents and benefactors around the world. The magazine includes campus news, feature stories, alumni profiles and class notes, and has a circulation of 132,265.