Jonathan Hammerstrom
Spring 2020 John Jay Fellow
Hometown: Spokane, WA
University: Whitworth University
Degree: B.A. Art History, B.A. International Studies – History
Jonathan graduated from Whitworth University in May 2019, Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies – History. During his junior and senior year, Jonathan worked with the Whitworth Art Department as the Permanent Art Collections Assistant. In this position, he assisted in managing Whitworth’s extensive collection of religious and Pacific Northwest art. Jonathan also worked as the Edward B. Lindeman Chair Research Assistant, where he transcribed and translated 19th-century Chinese missionary letters from French to English. Due to these positions and his academic achievements, Jonathan was awarded the Association of Christian Librarians and Christian Library Consortium 2019 Research Award.
In Fall 2019, Jonathan continued to pursue his interests in Art History and International Relations as an intern at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. At the Smithsonian, Jonathan interned at the Hirshhorn National Museum of Modern Art as a curatorial intern, working directly with the Chief Curator. He also interned at the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative, researching the effects of global climate change on cultural heritage and the doctrine of military necessity with regards to tangible cultural heritage. These experiences helped Jonathan refine his academic interests and inspired him to apply to several Art History master’s programs in the United Kingdom for the fall of 2020.
Jonathan looks forward to this pause from the art world by participating in the John Jay Fellowship Program. He hopes the extensive readings and discussions on history, philosophy, and theology will sharpen his reasoning and communication abilities as an academic Christian. He is also excited to participate in the many opportunities for hospitality that are prioritized in the fellowship.