Titanic Proportions History comes alive
T
he campus community had the rare opportunity to go back in time as two pivotal historic events were honored in both the fall and spring semesters. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, faculty from the English, Bible, and History departments hosted a symposium on the publication in November. Published in 1611, this English translation of the Bible became the most influential book in Western
Kimberlee DeGroot and Royce Roberts pose with the King James Bible presenters. (above)
“To Make a Good One Better: The King James Bible, 16112011” was presented over two evenings in November.
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Campus Events
culture. The two-day symposium was moderated by history professor, Tim McNeese, and was complete with lecturers, costumes authentic to the time, an extensive display of artifacts and facsimiles pertaining to the translation, and Renaissancestyle refreshments. In the spring semester, 100 years to the day from when the Titanic struck the fateful iceberg, a group of costumed history enthusiasts gathered in the Mackey Center to learn more about the most deadly non-wartime tragedy at sea. The Miller Room was transformed into the A la Carte Restaurant on board the Titanic, and many of the 120 participants came in character, sporting period gowns and suits. The somber tolling of a replica bell from the Titanic marked in real time the sinking of the ship, interrupting the program with reminders every few minutes of what was going on a hundred years earlier. From iceberg encounter to final submersion, the sinking of the “unsinkable” ship lasted only 2 hours and 40 minutes. The York College event followed the same timeline. McNeese provided commentary throughout, focusing on the unlikely events and the human folly responsible for the tragedy.
Brenna Johnson and Mallory Sansom view replicas of ancient manuscripts.
Josh Fullman talks about the perils of being a Bible translator.
Amanda Kline and Caroline Gaudreault greeted those attending the symposium.