University of Mary Washington
04/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2024 14:06
UMW Historic Preservation Alumna Pivots to Career as a Pop Culture Critic
When entertainment journalist Maggie Lovitt '15 reviewed a new period drama, she relied on the knowledge base she built while earning a bachelor's degree in historic preservation at the University of Mary Washington.
"I come at it from a deeper well of knowledge than the average viewer," Lovitt said. For example, she asked more insightful questions when covering The New Look on Apple TV+, which follows Christian Dior and Coco Chanel launching their fashion empires in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. "Even if you don't stay in the field you majored in, you can still use what you studied in your daily life."
In just a few years, Lovitt has gone from managing a historic site to rubbing elbows with the stars at Hollywood award shows. Yet, she still employs the skills she honed at Mary Washington - conducting research, writing and editing, and collaborating on a team - in her current career. As a critic, screenwriter and actress, Lovitt has earned accolades and approval from the Screen Actors Guild, Rotten Tomatoes and the Critics Choice Association, which she shared in the spring edition of UMW's Class Notes.
Maggie Lovitt '15, who earned a bachelor's degree in historic preservation, found success in a second career in entertainment journalism when the pandemic hit, showcasing the versatility of a public liberal arts and sciences education from UMW. Here, she interviews actors Matthew Lewis (left) and Jason Isaacs. Photo credit: FanExpo.
Lovitt interviews Diego Luga, an actor who has appeared in the 'Star Wars' vehicles 'Andor' and 'Rogue One.' Photo credit: FanExpo.
Lovitt explores a display at Ferry Farm in Stafford. Visits to George Washington's boyhood home and other historic sites around Fredericksburg influenced her decision to pursue a bachelor's degree in historic preservation at Mary Washington. Photo courtesy of Maggie Lovitt.
Lovitt (far right) on a panel with sci-fi actresses (from left) Alexa Kingston, Michelle Hurd and Felicia Day. Photo credit: FanExpo.
Lovitt (fourth row, second from right) with Department of Historic Preservation faculty members and classmates before Commencement in 2015. Photo courtesy of Maggie Lovitt.
Lovitt has been exploring these seemingly disparate interests since her fourth birthday, when her mother took her to a Star Trek convention, her first foray into fandom.
Around the same age, she also became fascinated by history. Growing up in Virginia, she and her family often visited Fredericksburg area locales like George Washington's boyhood home, Ferry Farm, and his sister's residence, Kenmore.
So, it was no surprise when she applied to Mary Washington, one of the few institutions in the country with an undergraduate major in historic preservation. At UMW, Maggie enjoyed the broad benefits of a public liberal arts and sciences education, taking courses in history, British literature, museum studies, geography and journalism while volunteering at nearby museums and historic sites.