Great expectations met at 200th birthday celebration

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Charles Dickens, the famous author of these oft-quoted opening lines to “A Tale of Two Cities,” was commemorated at Preus Library last week in honor of his 200th birthday.

To mark this historic occasion, Innovative Services Librarian Jennifer Rian put together an afternoon for remembering the famed author and highlighting the library’s vast collection of Dickens’ works. Several classics such as “Oliver Twist,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” “David Copperfield” and “Great Expectations” were prominently displayed next to an elegantly decorated cake, ensuring everyone would pass by his works. However, it was evident that the main attraction was the performance directed by Professor Emeritus Harland Nelson.

Having only J-term to prepare and one rehearsal, Nelson revamped an old faculty play with the help of volunteer students and put together a 13-minute performance highlighting and playfully satirizing Dickens’ famous “A Christmas Carol.”

The performance took elements of several of Dickens’ works and used them to create a work that gave one hilarious insight into the realm of Dickens’ literature.

Inspired by Professor of English Mark Muggli and his readings of Shakespeare’s sonnets in Bentdal Commons during fall semester, Rian thought a fantastic way to make students and faculty aware of the library’s resources would be through an event like this.

“The Dickens celebration is a test pilot for future events,” Rian said.

She hopes that if enough students and faculty take an interest in these events, they can put together future spotlights on figures like Dr. Seuss and the popular series “The Hunger Games.”