by Sam Farmerie, Westminster College Curator of Cultural Artifacts (724) 946-7053 (02/18/02)

On August 8th 2001 I departed from Westminster College for the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg.  Little did I know what was in store for me.  Over the next ten weeks I underwent a thorough examination including x-rays and a CT scan.  During that time personnel at the Center, under the guidance of Dr. Jonathan Elias, prepared for a new exhibit "Egypt: the Untold Journeys."

The exhibit included jewelry, ushebtis and other artifacts suitable for a person of my status.  Much time was spent preparing descriptive materials, building display cases and publicizing the exhibit.

After my debut at a grand opening reception (October 19, 2001) I settled in for a three month stay.  Children and adults came to admire, if not adore me, and the other items on display.  During my stay, which ended January 20 2002, they came in droves.  In the fall quarter of 2000 just under 20,000 people visited the Center, but in the fall of 2001 the number was more than 9,000 higher.  I like to think this increase was because of my presence.  Some viewers were so enamoured that they made a return visit near the end of my stay to say goodbye.

In my earlier jottings I related personal medical information.  However, I have held back one little item.  An earlier Pesed Report indicated that, according to College folklore, I had been decapitated and my head sometimes was found in a coed's bed.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  A thorough analysis of the x-rays indicates that my head was never detached. So much for folklore!

After three months in the limelight I returned to my home at Westminster College (February 5, 2002), where unfortunately I will be in the shadows both literally and figuratively.  There will be no spotlight on me in my display case, but that is not the major problem.  I am saddened because some in the College community are either unaware or indifferent to my presence.  This remains true in spite of all the recent publicity.

For the foreseeable future I will remain ensconced in my display case in the Mack Library of the Hoyt Science Resources Center.  Perhaps opportunities for additional off campus travel will arise, but that remains to be seen.