“Memorable” is a phrase that Jean-Paul Benowitz, uses to describe “Elizabethtown College: The Campus History Series.” Benowitz, director of Student Transition Programs and assistant director of Academic Advising at Elizabethtown College and Peter DePuydt, reference librarian/archivist at High Library are cowriter of the book.
“Elizabethtown College,” the newest edition in Arcadia Publishing’s Campus History Series, was Benowitz’s idea, according to DePuydt. Benowitz focused on the narrative part of the book and DePuydt researched specific photos, among the thousands of available in two databases—one internal and the other online.
The 128-page book includes 185 photos, said DePuydt, who used Photoshop to improve the quality of some of the older shots. The oldest photo featured in the book is of the 1903 Commencement. Other older photos are of the 1905 baseball team and of the 1927 football team. An updated photo of the entire College from an overhead view is included in the book, as well.
This book defines who we are historically and gives people something to think about.”
DePuydt said he “enjoys being able to look through old photos” and share them with the college community.
As a historian, Benowitz believed it would be a good idea if “people know what the history of the College was. It could help us understand who we are now and how people define who we are as we move forward,” he said.
“My favorite part of the process would be learning about things that I didn’t know. I came across names that I hadn’t learned about before that were significant to the College,” said Benowitz. “This book defines who we are historically and gives people something to think about.” It took a year for the two to compose the book.
“Elizabethtown College” will be available at the College Store and at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and other local book stores and historical sites at the end of the month.
On April 2 at 6 p.m., E-town hosts a book discussion about “Elizabethtown College” in Gibble Auditorium. Alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members are invited.
For more information on Elizabethtown College: The Campus History Series, contact Jean-Paul Benowitz at benowitzj@etown.edu or Peter DePuydt at depuydtp@etown.edu. If you would like to purchase this book, you may order a copy from the College Book Store.