Hannah Lim
In History Instructor Dr. Hannah Lim’s first term at the Academy, students and faculty have recognized her thoughtfulness and positivity on campus. Despite her recent introduction to the Academy and the Harkness pedagogy, she has quickly learned to fit in and excel in all aspects of Exeter life, from her work in the classroom to that in the dormitory.
Lim’s relationship with the Academy started last year while she was finishing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California. That year, Lim was offered the opportunity to join the Exeter faculty that year, and she moved to New Hampshire the following August. “I knew that I wanted to be at an institution that really focused on student-centered learning,” she said.
Lim discovered her passion for history in college when she realized the subject’s depth beyond memorizing trivial dates and figures. “History is a way of seeing the world that constantly challenges me to self-reflect, talk with others about their opinions [and] keep researching,” she said. “An insatiable curiosity comes from studying history.”
“Whenever I have questions about who to go to or where to go for a particular reason, if Dr. Lim doesn’t know the answer, she finds out! I’m very thankful to have Dr. Lim as my advisor — I truly lucked out!”
This term, Lim is teaching the 400-level U.S. history sequence and an introductory course on Japanese history titled “Tradition to Modernity.” She hopes her teaching will empower her students to analyze historical events through writing and discussion to question how and why they happened. “Something this school does really well is preparing students so that they don’t need anyone to tell them this happened,” Lim said. “They have the skills to be in dialogue with other people and come to a deeper understanding.”
Lim grew up in Orange County, California, home to the third largest Asian population in the United States. At Exeter, Lim continues to embrace her capacity in Asian studies. “For the future, I’m really excited to rework the Asian history courses and hopefully develop new and different ones,” Lim said.
Next year, Lim will be assisting English Instructor Christine Knapp in setting up a new English course in Korean literature, providing historical background related to the class. “I’m thrilled to talk with people outside of my department on material that I’m passionate about,” Lim said.
In her own department, Lim’s standout personality is as notable as her willingness to explore the possibilities of her position. History Instructor Cameron Brickhouse appreciated Lim’s presence inside and outside of the department. “Dr. Lim has an effervescent personality. Her energy and wonderful sense of humor are contagious,” Brickhouse said. She saw Lim’s positive personality at play after spending some time with her outside of the classroom. “After a very busy and tiring day, Dr. Lim encouraged me to go to the dog park to allow our dogs to burn off some steam. Chatting, brainstorming and laughing with Dr. Lim was one of the highlights of my week and just what I needed to reenergize. I’m sure Dr. Lim has injected fun into many other people’s day at Exeter,” Brickhouse said.
Focusing on her work in the classroom, History Department Chair William Jordan applauded Lim’s background and the strength she brings to the department. “She is amazingly qualified to teach Asian history. Not only is her specialty Korean history, but she has also studied extensively in other areas of Asia, like China or Japan,” he said. Jordan also recognized Lim’s ability to teach effectively and bond with her students, noting the speed she has grown accustomed to the Harkness pedagogy on which she places much importance.
In addition to Lim’s passion in the classroom, she “loves” being a dorm faculty member in Merrill Hall. Senior Yoshiko Lynch, a proctor in Merrill, referred to Lim as a mother figure, saying, “I love having her in the dorm! She always bakes for us whenever she’s on duty, and she’s really caring and fun to talk to.” Lower Safa Firas agreed, saying, “[Lim] always has a smile on her face. She’s always cheerful and has an incredibly positive influence on our dorm.”
Lim carries her demeanor across campus, warming and inspiring both students and faculty that she comes into contact with. Upper Gabby Sanders, who took U.S. history with Lim in the fall, remembered her for her geniality. “She was a very pleasant person to be around, always smiling,” Sanders said.
After the announcement of the recent presidential election results, Lim organized a dorm meeting to help students come to terms with the how and why the results came to be. She explained the process of the presidential and electoral college process, utilizing her skills as a History Instructor. “Organizing this meeting was not something I had planned to do at the beginning of the year, but I’m glad I have the privilege to live and work with the residents of Merrill so closely,” she said.
Upper Menat Bahnasy, another resident in Merrill Hall and one of Lim’s advisees, expressed her gratitude. “There isn’t one particular experience that has been the most meaningful for me, rather all of Dr. Lim’s efforts to make my upper year experience more comforting,” she said. “Whenever I have questions about who to go to or where to go for a particular reason, if Dr. Lim doesn’t know the answer, she finds out! I’m very thankful to have Dr. Lim as my advisor — I truly lucked out!”
Lim leads her life with her philosophy, “This is where I am, make the best of it.” From her experience thus far, Lim is enjoying her career at Exeter and positively influencing most she comes across. “I have no idea what I would be doing if I wasn’t at Exeter. I am where I want to be right now,” she said.