For Cecil Barlow ’26, the Hodges Research Fellowship in Special Collections and University Archives at UNCG opened up a new area of research, a new set of professional skills, and a new understanding of UNCG’s University Libraries.
“Research was a great passion of mine, and it still is,” says Barlow, the inaugural fellow. “When I received the notification, I was ecstatic because I knew it was going to change my life.”
Special Collections maintains not only physical archives related to UNCG and Greensboro history, but also a variety of digital archives and curated online exhibitions that are available to the public.
“Hodges Fellows build invaluable skills under close mentorship and training from our archivists in a transformative, unique experience unlike any other available on campus,” says University Archivist and Student Engagement Coordinator Erin Lawrimore, who supervises the program.
For Barlow, a classical studies major, the Hodges Fellowship was a chance to research topics that were outside his typical historical period, but not outside his interests and research themes. “I research topics that center women’s themes, women’s stories, and women’s struggles.”
As a fellow, he learned professional skills from grant writing to digitizing 20th century scrapbooks. “Without the Hodges Fellowship, I would not have the research skills I have now. Not only the funding, but also the structure of the program meant I had the freedom to learn how to be a researcher.”
Additionally, says Barlow, there was a great deal of interpersonal support available, not only from Lawrimore, but also from University Libraries in general. “It’s an incredible community of people who are kind and helpful. The Hodges Fellowship is truly invaluable for students, and I hope to see it continue long into the future,” he says.
The result of Barlow’s research was “Lip Service: Exploring Ineffective and Problematic Women’s Health, Wellness, and Self-Care Remedies from 1800-Present,” an investigation into the marketing of women’s health and wellness products that received the 2025 University Libraries Research Award.
Next, Barlow will continue his research in graduate school.
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