College of Idaho alumnus Rahul Sharma ('14) has been awarded a coveted research scholar position at The Metropolitan Museum of Art—an achievement that he credits, in no small part, to his formative years in Caldwell. Though now an emerging figure in the field of art conservation, Sharma’s path wasn’t always clear. “My entire trajectory was shaped during my time at the CofI,” he reflects. From receiving his first camera from archivist Jan Boles to learning darkroom techniques under Garth Claassen and delving into chemical processes with the chemistry faculty, Sharma’s interdisciplinary liberal arts education laid the foundation for a career he never anticipated. “In all honesty, nothing I directly do in the day to day was taught at CofI... What I learned at CofI was how to think.” His story is a testament to the power of community, curiosity, and a liberal arts education done right.
“My entire trajectory was shaped during my time at the CofI. I did not know I would go into conservation when I was in Caldwell, but being there among the community, both academic and local, really set me up for what I am doing now. Jan Boles in the Archives gave me my first camera (see attached photo of it in Langroise), and studio space in Sterry Hall. Garth gave me full and unrestricted access to the darkroom (I wouldn't have given me access, but he did). I would have nothing to do with photography, if it wasn't for Jan and Garth. Dr Truksa and Dr Saunders (see Attached Portrait, c. 2013) in the chemistry department, helped with understanding the chemistry behind what I was doing, remaining patient even though I accidentally almost filled an entire lab full of Nitric Acid fumes. It wasn't just the folks at the college. Steve Towrey (of Printcraft) was my neighbor, and would bring about old photos for me to look at. I learned how to hold a paint-brush steady from Andy Yee, who used to work at the NAPA opposite the college. Really takes a village.
In all honesty, nothing I directly do in the day to day was taught at CofI. But then, a liberal arts education isn't a professional education. What I learned at CofI was how to think. I graduated in 2014, and as time passes, the classes that originally seemed like fluff become more and more pertinent. Idaho Natural History with Dr Yensen, Sociology Classes with Dr Seibold. Literature classes with Dr Islam and Dr Schaper. Sure, as an Art Major, I think back fondly to my classes with Professors Fisher and Classen, and instructor Goran Fazil. But I think my life would have been a lot less rich, a lot less meaningful, if I had gone somewhere else, and studied just Art.
I can guarantee you that I would not be where I am today, if it wasn't for the education, I received at CofI, and the people I got to meet while I was there.” – Rahul Sharma ‘14