On January 19th, anticipation filled the Greenway Journalism class as Cat Jamison and Libby Nieporte, both from the class of 2024, prepared to discuss their extensive video project on Bucknell University’s role during the Civil War. This ambitious undertaking, now in its third year and nearing the end of post-production phase, aims to reveal the university’s deep historical connections to a significant national event.
Their extensive research led them to historical sites in Harrisburg and Gettysburg, and through interviews, they pieced together the Civil War narrative in Lewisburg. They uncovered stories of Bucknell temporarily closing, with its men going off to war while women from the Female Institute became nurses. Additionally, they discovered a stop for escaping slaves on the Underground Railroad right behind the Bravman House, highlighting a lesser-known aspect of Bucknell’s history.
For Jamison, a profound aspect of their research was realizing the historical significance of the campus itself. “There’s so much history I’m walking on,” she commented, gaining a new appreciation for places like the poetry path and the grove. Nieporte shared this sentiment, particularly moved by the visit to Gettysburg and the “willingness of the students to fight.”
Their project does more than just document; it brings to life the untold stories of Bucknell during one of the nation’s most turbulent times.
As they enter the final stages of editing, Jamison and Nieporte have extended an invitation for voiceovers, particularly seeking male voices. Once completed, their documentary promises to significantly enhance our understanding of Bucknell’s involvement in the Civil War, providing insightful exploration of a past that continues to shape our present.
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