History and archaeology alumnus witnesses history through position with the National Park Service

Jacob Dinkelaker ’11 believes that knowledge of the past propels the future. As the program manager for interpretation, education, and volunteers at The White House and President’s Park, he shares this philosophy with parkgoers on a daily basis.  

Dinkelaker, originally from Cincinnati, heard about The College of Wooster while looking for an institution where he could play football. Wooster was within reasonable driving distance from his hometown, allowing for his parents to plausibly visit for football games. While football and location brought Dinkelaker to campus, academics and the community are why he chose to call Wooster home. During his visit, the quality of the class he sat in on as well as the tight-knit nature of the football team and campus alike impressed him. His time at the College affirmed these observations. He cherished his three-year stint as a member of the football team and soon found that at Wooster, comradery extends far beyond the turf. “Everyone is rooting for you. The campus is set up for you to succeed,” he said. 

At the onset of his college career, Dinkelaker said, “I didn’t know that I wanted to work with the National Park Service. I never thought it was a job that I would be good at or that I was interested in.” While the history and archaeology alumnus initially intended to major in political science, he explored a vast array of disciplines as a liberal arts student at Wooster and found his history and archaeology courses the most enriching. The realization informed Dinkelaker’s decision to re-chart his path and major in both subjects as opposed to political science. 

“I really liked both programs. Through them, I learned how to think critically, write well, and form arguments. All of that is useful beyond the classroom,” he said. In particular, Dinkelaker credits his instilled writing ability for enhancing his success in graduate school at George Mason University, where he began working toward a master’s degree shortly following his graduation from Wooster. He refined this skill by immersing himself in his fields of study through the College’s Independent Study Program. By writing two junior I.S papers, one for each major, in addition to his final project the following year, Dinkelaker remembers attaining invaluable writing experience that he frequently drew upon throughout graduate school and continues to use in his career. 

Dinkelaker’s senior I.S. project examined the architectural history behind many of the buildings on Wooster’s campus through the construction of a website, tapping into his interest in presenting history through digital means. He continues to pursue this interest with the National Park Service through projects such as creating a self-guided virtual tour of Washington, D.C., alongside colleagues. The experience shares a comprehensive look at the history of the LGBTQ+ movement in the district. 

Dinkelaker describes his position as leading a team that works to serve the American public while taking care of the park surrounding the White House. Doing so often entails involvement in major national events, including presidential inaugurations and campaign rallies, which occur on park land in Washington, D.C. On a smaller scale, he and his team frequently work with protest groups to facilitate safe demonstrations for all involved. Through these experiences, Dinkelaker witnesses history himself while working to teach it to others. “Being a witness to it all is something I find incredibly meaningful. It’s incredibly important too,” he said. 

Posted in Alumni, Homepage Featured on March 3, 2025.