INTELLECT

Sarah Coffey (Gamma Gamma 2016/UWA) is on a mission to preserve the history of her hometown. She is an archaeologist at the University of South Alabama on the I-10 Mobile River Bridge Project, which aims to uncover valuable artifacts before an interstate expansion can commence.

Sarah’s love of history began with her dad, who was also a history buff. She recalled watching The Mummy and National Treasure movies with him during childhood. She considered a history major, but ultimately chose a forensics degree with an anthropology minor. The only anthropology professor at University of West Alabama was an archaeologist by trade. “I loved my professor. She showed me that archaeology could really be like a puzzle,” Sarah said. It was enough to push Sarah to pursue a master’s degree in archaeology.

Sarah started working with Dr. Phil Carr on the I-10 Project in November 2021 after finishing her thesis at University of Southern Mississippi. She recalled, “It was just me and some student workers in the beginning. I really had to learn how to manage myself and others in the lab. I’ve gotten it down now, but it was a real challenge in the beginning.”