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History Bowl showdown features trivia from Civil War to Great Depression

Last updated on April 1, 2015

by Mackenzie Border// Staff Writer

Volunteer State Community College will host the first History Bowl Wednesday, March 25, in the Rochelle Center from 11:15a.m. – 12:10p.m.
“The planning began in early February. I was picked, but I was happy to participate,” said Dr. Merritt McKinney, instructor of History and director of the Honors Program.
Professor Peter Johnson, instructor of History, was asked how the event came to be, and said, “My SI [Supplemental Instructor],

Jennifer Wooden, came up with the idea and she presented it to me and asked if this was a good idea. I think it’s great. Give her all the credit for this one.”
“I actually had be wanting to do a History Bowl for some time, but the timing was never right,” said Wooden, SI leader for Johnson’s History classes.
“It was this semester that I decided to pursue the idea further and Mrs. Toni Murad, coordinator of SI, agreed that it would be something we as a department could make happen.
“Once the idea took off, I asked Professor Johnson and Dr. McKinney if they would like to participate, and they agreed it was something that would be fun and a good idea,” continued Wooden.
Johnson also revealed information regarding the topic and format, saying, “The questions will cover a period of American history from the end of the Civil War through the Great Depression.
“There will be the following categories: Reconstruction, Industrial Age, Populism/Progressivism, Imperialism/Spanish-American War, WWI, 1920s and Great Depression.
“Most of the questions will be single answer questions rather than discussion questions.  Professor David Fuqua [assistant professor of Economics] will be the moderator and will ask the questions.
“There will be buzzers for the students to hit which will determine who was the first to respond and if the answer is incorrect, the other team will be given opportunity to answer,” said Johnson.
“The showdown will be fun and entertaining, but will also be steeped in historical facts which will make it educational at the same time.
“The students of both of these professors are being taught by the best in my opinion, and it should be a great match. Everyone who comes out to watch as well as those who are participating should walk away with something new,” said Wooden.

“I’m looking forward to the event. If it’s a success, it could become a tradition every semester,” said McKinney.
Johnson even gave his opinion on how it will turn out, saying, “I am confident the best team will win. Of course I think that will be my team – The History Pickers. All I can say is, watch out, Dr. McKinney, the Pickers are coming!”

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