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Clarkson College Professor Dr. Will Montgomery Connects History, Ethics and Healthcare for Student Success

  • 10 July 2026

It may be a bit of a stretch for a Civil War buff to wind up teaching at a healthcare college. But for associate professor Dr. Will Montgomery, the connection was a natural fit. Now, with a Clarkson College career spanning nearly 20 years, Dr. Montgomery draws daily inspiration from his students. Whether making connections between lectures, readings or their own experiences, he is encouraged to continue. “I see many students work hard and apply what they have learned weeks after those materials were covered in class. That means the ideas they have encountered are resonating in their world view,” he explained.

The courses he teaches as part of the General Education program help bridge the gap between humanities and healthcare: A Cultural History of the Healing Arts; The History of Science, Technology, and Medicine; and Health Care Ethics.

Most of the courses are conducted online, a trend that became more consistent with the pandemic. Dr. Montgomery finds meaningful ways to replace face-to-face time with students, a challenging but rewarding effort. He finds that by engaging with students in online discussions and modifying assignments to encourage dialogue, they are continuing discussions via email and gradebook comments. “When they take the initiative to keep the conversation going when there’s no incentive to do so except to learn and have meaningful dialogue,” he stated, “that means the most to me.” He revels in moments when an online student stops by his office to ask a question or just to say hello. “When students who took my class online recognize me on campus and comment on having enjoyed the course, that’s another motivation to keep me going.”

Dr. Montgomery’s love of history began as child when living near Washington, D.C., surrounded by icons of the country’s history. His chief interest in the Civil War led to two degrees in history from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His master’s thesis was inspired by letters, journal, and other belongings of a First World War surgeon made available, resulting in a study of Mobile Hospital No. 1 (an early “MASH” style hospital). As a graduate student, he volunteered with US First Army to write about the military response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In July 2008, Dr. Montgomery began at Clarkson College as a Registrar Representative, managing health and safety records, new student registrations, and the course calendar for each semester. He began teaching as an adjunct then transitioned to full-time instructor in 2013.

“At this point, I can’t imagine working anywhere else. Clarkson College is home to me, and that’s largely because of the wonderful people who work here. They are committed to what we do, they do it well, and make others feel welcome and supported. Bishop Clarkson and Meliora Clarkson would be proud to see that we’re still carrying out the mission they started in the 1880s.”

He continued, “you will struggle to find another institution with a more dedicated faculty and staff than Clarkson College. That’s not just true of the present, either. I have written about the history of this College and spent many hours reviewing institutional archival documents. The faculty have always been like family, and the alumni have always celebrated their experiences here. If you come to Clarkson College, you’ll work hard and emerge a better person ready to conquer the world.”

Group of people wearing safety harnesses pose at the base of a forest ropes course with platforms and obstacles in the trees.

Dr. Montgomery has served Clarkson College in a variety of ways including as Faculty Senate President and as a leader of the GO! (Great Outdoors) Club, a group that promotes extracurricular activities for employees and students. He is currently adapting online asynchronous online learning in the humanities to the artificial intelligence era. Away from campus, he keeps busy as a devoted husband and father of two school-age children. He loves to find time to read, visit the family farm, and volunteer at church.