MOBILE, Ala. – In honor of the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death, the University of Mobile will host a 17-hour reading marathon of Dante’s “Divine Comedy” March 18-19.
The public is invited to attend this outdoor overnight event beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, immediately following the conclusion of the Symphonic Winds concert presented on campus by the Alabama School of the Arts. In accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, State of Alabama and University of Mobile mandates, face masks or face shields will be required. For more information on COVID-19 guidelines, please visit umobile.edu/coronavirus.
UM junior Jamie Peters, student assistant to the UM English Department, is coordinating the event, along with UM English professors Dr. Katherine Abernathy and Amy Burdette.
This is a revival of the traditional reading marathon at the University of Mobile. The most recent practice of this tradition occurred in 2013 with the reading of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes.” Other previous reading marathons included C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” and Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.”
Volunteers will read in 30-minute increments throughout the day and night. The event is expected to conclude at 1 pm on Friday, March 19. Those interested in participating in the reading marathon may sign up for a time by calling 251.442.2467.
The University of Mobile is located off I-65 at the Saraland Exit 13. Turn west onto Hwy. 158 and go 1.5 miles to College Parkway. Turn left onto College Parkway, then right at the stop sign. The main entrance is located about one-half mile on the right.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Jamie Peters is a junior English major at the University of Mobile. She works as the UM English Department student assistant and is vice President of the UM Honors Program. In her free time, she enjoys attending church at Moffett Road Baptist Church, reading, and hanging out with friends.