speakers series 2011-2012

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"Ghostbusters! Giving Up the Ghost in Postmodern Times"
Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary's University College
Followed by Ghost Tour and Fireworks, September 29, 2011

St. Mary’s University College was inhabited by more than 300 “ghostbusters” September 29, who gathered to hear an academic exploration of the ghoulish and then learn rarely-revealed secrets about the campus.

At the first Speakers Series event of the year, St. Mary’s President Dr. Gerry Turcotte examined what the ghost means for colonizing cultures, revealing recent developments in Australian aboriginal film, art and music that rehabilitate the idea of ghosts and other monstrosities. more

(clockwise from top left)
1. Welcome to the Ghost Tour! 2. Dr. Gerry Turcotte, guest speaker 3. Siarra Weisensel beckons guests into the water tower. 4. Fireworks scared away the ghosts. 5. Playwright Eugene Stickland helped us prepare the tour. 6. Anne Marie Covey told a mysterious story from the past.

Tongues firmly in cheeks, guests then toured St. Mary’s historic buildings, including the water tower and tunnels below the Le Fort Centre harkening back to the days when Father Albert Lacombe and the Sisters of Providence operated an orphanage on this site.

Guided by St. Mary’s drama students, who recreated spooky encounters and mysterious stories from the past, participants felt the chill of ghostly possibilities under a dark September sky.

Playwright-in-Residence Eugene Stickland, who wrote and directed the presentation, said in opening remarks that, after copious research, he has come to the conclusion that the St. Mary’s site is definitely NOT haunted.

OR IS IT???????

(At the end of the evening, we scared away any past, present or future ghosts with a wonderful fireworks display to celebrate our 25th anniversary.)

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