Author: Jamie Peters

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.

Reading Marathon has Lasting Impact on UM Student

by Jamie Peters

To give you a good idea about how the University of Mobile’s Reading Marathon went, picture this: it is 4 a.m. in the morning. You are outside Bedsole Commons in a hammock, attempting to keep warm while another all-nighter lies in a heap on the cold pavement. Suddenly, you get up, grab the book from the current reader, and say, “Congratulations, everyone! That concludes ‘Purgatorio’ from Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy.’ We will now begin the final section, ‘Paradisio.’”

To anyone else, I think that this scenario would have been utter torture, but to me, being able to monitor and listen to reader after reader read the words of Dante Alighieri was truly amazing. It is so cool to go to a college like UM, where the student body can plan all night reading marathons purely for fun. Participating in that opportunity with other people was incredibly groundbreaking for me.

I first learned of this campus tradition at the beginning of this semester when my English professors brought the project to me. When they tasked me with planning and executing this event, I was unsure of my abilities; I have moved very fast through school, and I am still trying to determine if English is the best course for me. Despite my concerns, this project, last practiced in 2010, was fully revived in all its glory! Furthermore, I have found a peace in my desired field of literary study that I never expected, proving that God’s hand is in all things, even in staying up all night in 50-degree weather!

To anyone that listened or participated in the Reading Marathon, I hope this experience makes a lasting impact in your life. Throughout the night, we had visitors come and listen, bring us food, and read in entertaining and engaging ways. The experience culminated into bringing a community together; one that was able to laugh together, to eat together, to read together. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of that feeling.

UM Honors Program Presents ‘Everyman’ April 8

by Jamie Peters

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile Honors Program will perform the medieval morality play “Everyman” Thursday, April 8, at 7:30 pm.

The public is invited to attend this free event in Dorsett Auditorium in Weaver Hall. Doors will open at 7 p.m. For information about the performance or the UM Honors Program, please contact Dr. Stephen Schuler, Honors Program director, at 251.442.2426 or sschuler@umobile.edu. Visit umobile.edu/coronavirus for information on COVID-19 guidelines.

Honors Program students coordinating this event are led by Honors President Abbie Hedden, Vice President Jamie Peters and Secretary Caroline Tucker.

The Honors Program hosts an event each semester at the University of Mobile. In the Fall of 2020, students presented “The Bergdolt Festival” to commemorate a beloved music and Honors professor, the late Dr. Kenneth Bergdolt. The festival hosted a Roman gladiator battle and a performance of the comedy play “The Braggart Soldier” to recognize the ancient period of literature.

This semester, the Honors seminar is focusing on the medieval period, studying works such as St. Augustine’s “Confessions” and Dante Alighieri’s “Inferno.”

Schuler said “Everyman” is a morality play that details the life and death of the allegorical Everyman, who embodies all of humanity. Death warns Everyman that he will be judged by God when he dies. Terrified, Everyman turns to Fellowship, but his friends desert him. He then hopes his Goods will comfort him, but his possessions also abandon him. Everyman then turns to his Good Deeds, but they are weakened by his sins. The story continues as he eventually arrives in Heaven.

Cast and characters will be dressed in modern interpretations of characters such as Everyman, Good Deeds, Goods, Death, Strength, Knowledge and more.

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.

University of Mobile Hosts 17-Hour Reading Marathon

by Jamie Peters

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.

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