Please introduce yourself.

My name is Alexander Lowie. I graduated UF in 2024 with a PhD in Anthropology and was a Graduate Student Assistant for the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies. I am the Student Programming Coordinator for the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida. I have a book releasing late-2026/early-2027 based on my anthropological fieldwork on the Patriot Movement in Central Florida. It will be titled “Becoming A (Civil) Warrior” and detail my interactions with members of alt-right political groups like the Proud Boys and Three Percenters.

How did you first get involved with the Shorstein Center?

I got involved with the Shorstein Center in my first semester as a graduate student. My advisor, Dr. Jack Kugelmass, suggested I speak with Dr. Goda about the Center’s programming.

Which Shorstein Center programs, courses, events or opportunities had the biggest impact on you?

I really enjoyed the lecture and speaker series. The Center brings in a group of top scholars from around the world all talking about a diverse selection of topics in Jewish Studies. You learn a lot in the talks and get a chance to hear people present work that other people just aren’t doing.

Is there a specific class or professor that stands out as especially formative?

First would be Dr. Kugelmass’ “Screening the Holocaust” course. The course helped develop my film literacy and also exposed me to an international selection of very thought-provoking and engaging stories. The other would be a graduate-level independent study I did with Dr. Goda on Weimar Germany. It was the most I’ve ever read for a class but he taught me so much as we thoughtfully explored the interwar period in Germany that led to the rise of the Nazis.

What skills did you develop through the Shorstein Center that you still use in your career today?

As a graduate assistant, I was asked to help film and later livestream the lecture and speaker series. That led to an opportunity to edit Dr. Gordan’s podcast, “Writing It!” The experiences for visual media production have been very useful in my career and helped make me a well-rounded candidate when applying for jobs.

How did the Shorstein Center prepare you for the professional world?

The Shorstein Center prepared me for the professional world by providing me with an intellectual community that encouraged the discussion of big and difficult topics. The faculty were all very supportive of my academic interests and consistently provided guidance with my work. The community serves as a positive example of how to build a culture of welcoming, inclusive, and supportive thinkers.

Looking back, how did your Shorstein Center experience shape your perspective on global issues, culture, or leadership?

Most of my experiences with the Shorstein Center were centered around history instruction and they were invaluable in shaping my perspective on global issues. They created a solid foundation, specifically regarding political extremist movements and antisemitism, which now help me understand many of the most important issues in the world today.

What would you tell students who worry that humanities or Jewish studies won’t translate into “real-world” careers?

With the increased prevalence of AI and continued growth of media illiteracy, the humanities (and more specifically Jewish studies) may be more important to you now more than ever. People are not learning how to write properly. This means they aren’t learning how to think effectively. People are not learning how to read information closely and interpret it critically. This is how misinformation spreads and disinformation hurts the most vulnerable populations in society. Even if you think it won’t directly translate to something in the “real-world,” the benefits of media literacy and effective communication will make you a standout job candidate in any profession.

You can read Alex’s latest article HERE.