By Alex Baker
Monday, March 2, 2009
Barbara Abou-El-Haj, Associate Professor and Chair; PhD., University of California, Los Angeles.
In accordance with Elon University’s Art History Lecture Series, Barbara Abou-el-Haj was scheduled to come to campus Tuesday, March 3 to share with students and faculty her research on the role pilgrims and pilgrimage. However, Abou-el-Haj’s own pilgrimage to Elon, N.C. was cut short due to the winter storm that hit our area late Monday night.
Flight Plans go Awry
Abou-el-Haj was scheduled to fly from Binghamton, N.Y. and connect through Philadelphia, Pa. Unsure if her flights would be delayed due to the weather, assistant professor of art history, Evan Gatti, took a gamble and decided to reschedule.
Unfortunately as Gatti assumed, all of her flights were canceled. “We thought of getting her out on Tuesday,” Gatti stated. “But with all the rescheduling we were sure to hit delays and didn’t think we could get her here in time.”
Winter Wonderland
Alamance area of campus was showered in snow.
Snow not only affected flights in the Triad area but also classes on Elon University’s campus. Smith Jackson, vice president for student life and dean of students, sent e-mail’s out Monday night as well as Tuesday morning.
The initial plan to have classes begin on a delayed start at noon was soon replaced with full cancellation due to heavy snowfall. Power was lost on campus until 10 a.m. but has been restored to the whole campus.
While professors have shown obvious concern in the adjustment of their lesson planning students are thrilled with the white weather. Shannon McMinn, a senior business administration and accounting major, has reason to celebrate the snow.
“I am thrilled that classes were canceled,” McMinn said. “Not only did I need the break but it is also my birthday!”
Weather is scheduled to clear up later in the week. However, this afternoon might see a slight chance of snow showers before 3 p.m.
Repercussions from Cancellations
Hours of operation for certain services on campus have been delayed but should resume to their normal schedule by tomorrow. Scheduling for Abou-el-Haj’s presentation is not as easy to resume.
Gatti is working quickly to find a new time and location. Months of preparation were put in for the original visit by Abou-el-Haj, including reserving a room, scheduling a place for students and faculty to meet the speaker and finding a date that accommodated both parties.
“Elon is a hard place to schedule at the last minute, especially when you expect 80 – 100 attendees, said Gatti. “So, I have spent many frantic hours looking for a space and a time that works, meaning it doesn’t conflict with another department event, or something that would attract a related audience.”
Once all details are figured out, updates will be sent to the art history community on campus.
***NEW DATE AND TIME***
Thursday, March 12th, 7:00p.m.
Yeager Recital Hall
Barbara Abou-El-Haj
“What’s the Matter with Pilgrimage Studies? History, Historiography, Hagiography and the Camino de Santiago”
For hours of operation on campus today click here.
a.baker 