MACON — Mercer University’s Jack Tarver Library is offering a peek at “Harry Potter’s World” through Nov. 5. The library is displaying the National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health exhibit, titled “Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine,” on the main floor of the library, located on the University’s Macon campus. The library will also hold a number of events and presentations in conjunction with the exhibit. The events and exhibit are free and open to the public.
“We hope to introduce students, faculty and staff to a different aspect of Harry Potter by having an exhibit that focuses not on just the magical aspect, but introduces the science and medicine aspect as well,” said Andrew Shuping, emerging technologies and interlibrary loan librarian at Tarver and the exhibit coordinator. “The speakers and events scheduled will evoke a wide range of thoughts and possibilities about the world of Harry Potter, as well as showcasing some of the talent from Mercer University.”
Although a fantasy story, the magic in the Harry Potter books is partially based on Renaissance traditions, which played an important role in the development of Western science and medicine. The National Library of Medicine created the traveling exhibition to explore the world of Harry Potter and its roots in Renaissance magic, science and medicine. As part of the exhibition, the Tarver Library has also included displays from the Museum of Arts and Sciences, which also will be displayed through Nov. 5. The exhibit is open for viewing during regular library hours, Monday through Thursday 7:45 a.m. to midnight, Fridays from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m. to midnight.
The first speaker is Dr. Gary Richardson, professor and chair of English, who will deliver a lecture, titled “Elves and Werewolves and Voldemort! Oh, My: Social Commentary in the Fantasy World of Harry Potter,” Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Medical School Auditorium. Following the presentation, there will be a reception and music by students from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings.
On Oct. 5, Dr. Mary Raschko, assistant professor of English, will give a lecture, titled “An Englishman or an Everyman? Reading Harry Potter across Cultures,” at 6:30 p.m. in the Medical School Auditorium.
Dr. Anya Silver, associate professor of English, will speak on “‘Twilight is not Good for Maidens’: Gender, Sexuality and Family in the Twilight Series,” Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Medical School Auditorium.
Dr. Deneen Senasi, assistant professor of English, will speak about “Polyjuice Potion or Pensieve?: Reading and Remembering ‘through a glass darkly’ in the Novels of Harry Potter,” Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Medical School Auditorium.
On Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m., in the Medical School Auditorium, there will be a faculty panel discussion on medicine and science featuring Dr. Alice House, associate dean for admissions and student affairs and associate professor in the Mercer School of Medicine, Dr. Jennifer Look, assistant professor of chemistry, and Dr. Dale Moore, professor of chemistry.
“This is a true team partnership with representatives between Tarver and the medical library, and speakers and partners from across the campus and community,” Shuping said. “A wide range of people have brought their ideas and talents to making this event possible and interesting.”
In addition to the lectures, The Fresh Food Company will also host “Harry’s Hot Plates” for dinner on Oct. 20 and QuadWorks, the student activities board of Mercer, and the College Hill Alliance will screen “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 and 2,” along with a Harry Potter costume contest, on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Tattnall Square Park.
About Mercer University
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,200 students in 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies – on major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah and at three regional academic centers across the state. Mercer is affiliated with two teaching hospitals — Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah and the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. The University operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.
— 30 —
