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BPC’s Arts & Letters Division hosts annual medieval dinner

Professor George Mosley (from left), Dr. Bill Denni and Dr. Ruth Ellen Porter share a joke at the second annual Medieval Dinner Dec. 2. (Photo by Kelley Arnold)

Kelley Arnold

Director of News and Public Information

MOUNT VERNON—Those attending Brewton-Parker College’s second annual Medieval Dinner Dec. 2 in Briscoe Center in Mount Vernon may have thought they were truly a “knight” in King Arthur’s court. Hosted by the college’s Division of Arts and Letters, this year’s event featured the same players as last year – in full Late Medieval Era regalia. One even sported a crown!

Dr. Bill Denni, director of the Learning Assistance Program, who is attired as a BPC Baron knight attempts to protect the Medieval Dinner’s attendees from an invading dragon, or BPC junior and English major, Carly Colombero. (Photo by Kelley Arnold)

“The Medieval period, or Middle Ages, was the period in Europe immediately following the fall of the Roman Empire through the early Renaissance,” said Dr. Ruth Ellen Porter, chair of the Division of Arts and Letters. “Our costumes are more typical of the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century.”

The dinner is a fundraiser for the college’s Georgia Philological Society, the first and only chapter in the state of Georgia. Brewton-Parker College sponsored the new state society last year. The second annual state philological society conference will be held on the Brewton-Parker College campus, March 30-31, 2007.

“The society is open to all divisions at the college,” said Dr. Thom Brucie, associate professor of English. “The word ‘philological’ stands for love of wisdom. Therefore, the Georgia Philological Society is really a big umbrella for all divisions, not limited to any one discipline.”

Dr. Porter adds that the formation of the Georgia Philological Society was modeled after the Philological Society of the Carolinas, which includes chapters in several North and South Carolina state colleges and universities. She hopes the new Georgia society will become as successful as its model.

The evening’s heavily vegetarian meal of sweet potatoes, Vidalia onion casserole, grilled chicken and hot cider was catered by ARAMARK. Special entertainment included two musical acts performed by BPC faculty and students.

Dr. Lee Cheek, chair of the college’s Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, led the more than 30 attendees in an after-dinner dance to his special “medieval” version of “Father Abraham”. In the tradition of celebrating the Equinox – the shortest day of the year – the evening’s music turned toward the Christmas persuasion. BPC senior and English major, Lisa Vincent, Dr. Brucie and Professor Mark Stokes led the honorary “Baron Knights” in several traditional Christmas carols, including “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “The Holly and the Ivy”.

Each year, Dr. Porter hopes the event will increase in popularity, especially among the members of the surrounding communities.

“I hope this will become a Brewton-Parker Christmas tradition,” she said.

Lisa Vincent, senior BPC English major (from left), and English professors Dr. Thom Brucie and Mark Stokes lead the attendees of the Medieval Dinner in several traditional Christmas carols, including “The Holly and the Ivy” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. (Photo by Kelley Arnold)

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