By Eleanor O’Hagan
Staff Writer
Early on the morning of Saturday, March 29, Dr. Alexander Burns, associate professor of history, led a group of Franciscan students to the historic Fort Ligonier in Pennsylvania. This field trip was planned to coincide with a current class of students studying the history of America’s fight for independence and the older events of the land that would become the United States.
Fort Ligonier is mainly known for being a place at which George Washington served during his time as a British soldier in the Seven Years War. While at the Fort, students engaged in learning not only about American history but also about the impact colonial American events had on the rest of the world. Ligonier offers not only a historical interpretation of North America but also houses the largest collection of artifacts from the Seven Years War in the country.
Upon arrival at the Fort, students were given a private tour that provided in-depth information of its history, construction, and archeological digs in the area. Students saw first-hand the geographical positions described in classes and textbooks and gained a greater perspective on how these battles may have looked.
The location of Ligonier also provided an opportunity for students with similar interests and love of history to grow in community with one another. Similar to other trips Burns had planned in the past, this opportunity was created to help the history fans of Franciscan grow and continue to search for more opportunities to have active encounters pertaining to their course of study.
“I had been wanting to go see some cool historical places on this side of the country,” said freshman history major Marianne Treis. “Dr. Burns knows so much and made the trip super fun. It was also a great opportunity to get to know some other history students and learn with them; I hope there will be many similar trips in the future!”
Many other students on the trip agree with Treis, supporting that these trips help with the learning of history and bonding with classmates.
“It was great to step into the world that we were learning about in class,” said Anastasia Camarca, junior history major. “There is so much history around us and we need more opportunities to experience it.”
Students at Franciscan seem to be eager for more opportunities to take advantage of the surrounding area of Steubenville and see what they are studying come to life. Franciscan’s unique location and eager student body makes trips like these possible, and it appears to benefit the students’ learning and growing in community.