Humanities & Social Sciences: Jay Kinde '25

Major(s) and minor(s)

B.A. in History; B.A. in English: British and American Literature

Minor in Digital Media Studies

Pronouns

He/Him

Hometown

Buffalo, NY

Areas of interest/focus in research

Public History and Archives

LGBTQ+ History with a Focus on Transgender Studies

ÂÒÂ×Ç¿¼é and General ÂÒÂ×Ç¿¼é History

Labs / departments / offsite programs where research was conducted

Biology Department:
  • Ward Project Intern
History Department:
  • Senior Honors Thesis on Transgender Men in the United States, 1970s-1980s.
Friends of Mount Hope:
  • Certified Tour Guide for Mount Hope Cemetery requiring historical research into the lives of those buried in the cemetery.
Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation (RBSCP):
  • Research on the LGBTQ+ History of the ÂÒÂ×Ç¿¼é culminating in an online exhibit and presentation during Meliora Weekend '24.

About me...

Hi! My name is Jay and I'm a senior pursuing a history honors thesis on transgender men in the 1970s and 80s. I work in the library's Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation department. On the side, I also do lighting for events around campus. I love nature and history; I combine these interests as a tour guide for the Mount Hope Cemetery.

In addition to my research on campus, I am the Music Director for WRUR, U of R's student radio station. I love music and connecting with the local music/arts scene. My favorite local(ish) band is Muddle- a punk band from my hometown of Buffalo.

How has your experience as a researcher influenced your career objectives?

Pursuing research at the university has brought me to many wonderful archives and archival projects centering around LGBTQ+ History. In talking with workers and researchers in these spaces, I realized the potential of archives as a career path. Without the research experience and opportunities, I might never have connected so deeply with these library divisions.

Campus organizations, programs, activities, clubs, awards/distinctions

  • Harry S. Truman Scholarship Finalist
  • Schwartz Discover Grant Recipient
  • Meliora Scholar
  • Tanenbaum Scholarship Recipient
  • Dean's List (all semesters)
  • Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery Tour Guide
  • WRUR Music Director
  • President of the Undergraduate English Council

Fun Fact: when I'm not doing research you can usually find me...

At the radio station!

Areas where I may be particularly helpful

  • Humanities Research
  • Connecting with Professors
  • Starting research in an archive/library
  • Figuring out what to research/how to research

What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?

Passion is the only required skill for starting research. It is easy to develop skills while you research, everyone has to start somewhere so it is that drive and passion for a subject that can really help.

Email me at: jkinde@u.rochester.edu