Meet a Colleague: Mattie Clear Mattie Clear is an archivist and assistant professor.

W&L News Office
November 6, 2024

Q. How long have you worked at W&L?
I started in June of 2022, so a little over 2 years!

Q. What do you like most about working at W&L?
I love getting to work with both our community and the collections. I feel like I say this a fair amount, but the collections we have here, and specifically in Special Collections and Archives, have such a breadth and depth that never ceases to amaze me. For example, earlier this semester, we had four classes across four different departments come in over the course of five days on themes ranging from history of medicine to Spanish literature. The ability to pull and support such a wide range of curricular interests is something I’m very proud of.

Q. Where is your favorite location on the W&L campus?
Honestly, it’s a little on the nose, but the Special Collections classroom. Mostly because of the work I get to do in there with students and classes. However, if I’m out of the library you can likely find me on the porch of the CGL.

Q. Where did you grow up?
I’m from Chilhowie, Virginia. It’s a small town about three hours south of Lexington and close to the Virginia/Tennessee/North Carolina state line.

Q. What advice do you have for students?
There are so many wonderful experiences here at W&L! I know students hear it often, but try your best to explore as many of them as you can. W&L offers its students a little bit of everything and there are so many opportunities to explore new interests.

Q. What is the most adventurous thing that you have ever done?
Hmm, the thing that immediately comes to mind is an upcoming trip to Chang Mai, Thailand. The flights have been booked so we’re deep in the planning phase of what we’re doing while we’re there.

Q. What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Crocheting! It has provided a lovely opportunity for creativity and makes me feel better about the amount of television I watch.

Q. If you could live anywhere, where would you build your dream home?
This is such a tough one! Rather than build, I would love to restore a Victorian home in Staunton or Richmond. Specifically, one with a porch swing and room for a garden.

Q. Who most inspires you?
My family has always been a huge source of inspiration, especially as it relates to their commitment to education and community. Similarly, in the wake of the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, I continue to be inspired and in awe of my community back home and all of Appalachia for coming together to support those in need.

Q. What book are you reading now?
I’m currently reading the sequel to “The House On the Cerulean Sea” entitled “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” by TJ Klune.

Q. What music are you listening to these days?
I tend to exist heavily in the indie/folk genre. We’re seeing Gregory Alan Isakov and Ray Lamontagne in Charlottesville soon and I’m pretty excited!

Q. If they made a movie about your life, who would play you?
Hmm, well I’d hope it would have some comedic tones, so maybe Taylor Tomlinson?

Q. If you could have coffee with one person, who would it be and why?
My grandmother, Nancy. She passed earlier this year, and I know the prompt says one person, but coffee on her porch with her and my young sibling would be the dream.

Q. What is your desert island food?
Potatoes! Mostly because there are so many different ways you can cook/prepare them so I wouldn’t get bored.

Q. Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
My name isn’t a nickname or anything, it’s just Mattie. I’m named after a great great grandmother who was also Mattie Clear. I was fortunate enough to get to meet her when I was little, so there’s a photo of all five generations floating out there somewhere.

Q. What is your secret talent?
I was a competitive clogger (think Irish dance meets flat footing) for 16 years.