Jean-Paul Benowitz wrote a book called “Elizabethtown College,” filled with historical pictures of and information about the history of Elizabethtown College. The book was released on Monday, Feb. 24.

Benowitz, the director of student transition programs and the assistant director of academic advising, took advantage of the collection of approximately 3,000 digitized photographs in the High Library archives. “I thought a book about the images of the College would be an effective way to tell the history of the College,” Benowitz said. Arcadia Publishing, which specializes in historical photographs and images, published the book.  Benowitz wants people to have a better understanding of the College and its history, which can influence people even today. “It is important for all of us to put things into context and to be knowledgeable of the people and events which have created the College we have today. The study of history can inspire us in our ongoing work and the mission of the College,” he said.

Benowitz found inspiration for the book from President Carl Strikwerda’s inaugural address in 2011. “The best liberal arts programs have a morally rooted vision. A liberal arts education emphasizing the values of peace, human dignity and social justice is not a solitary pursuit.  Excellence is almost always the product of a team effort,” Strikwerda said in his address from 2011. Benowitz reflected this theme in his book. “I wanted to tell the story of how this has been true in the College’s history, can be seen today and we can make it true in the future,” he said.

The research, writing, editing and selecting the photographs for the book took Benowitz an entire year to complete. Benowitz acquired most of his information for the book from primary and secondary sources in the High Library, the High Library Brethren Heritage Room, the High Library Special Collections and Archives and the resources in the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies.

Benowitz enjoyed most parts of the process of compiling his book. He particularly enjoyed the process of research, gathering information, taking notes, organizing ideas and developing and answering questions. He compared the process of writing his book to running. “The first mile is awful and then the rest of the time I absolutely love it,” Benowitz said. “Once I get into the writing mode, it just starts to pour out; all my research and thoughts come together in one story.”