Sources and Methodology
Going into the research, I knew my topic was The Burma-Bucknell Connection, but with no focus. I gathered my thoughts in a mind map exercise and this let me split my topic into five different sections. As I started researching the topics in the archives, I unconsciously focused on the Burma-Bucknell Weekends, which I was most interested in. The Burma-Bucknell Weekends section of the Bucknell website was also the reason I started this research, since I noticed some information was missing and had no concrete explanation on why they stopped.
I started this project with three parts: archival work, scalar compilation, and Omeka storage. For the first part of my research, I spent my time in the Special Collections and University Archives in the library looking for records of the Burma-Bucknell Weekends. I worked my way through mostly unprocessed materials, mainly the Christian Association records that consisted of letters and reports of the Weekends. I found a new narrative of the Weekends and found a few pieces of proof that they did not go away completely.
For my project, I decided to use Scalar to compile my information, because I wanted to tell the story of the Burma-Bucknell Connection as linearly as possible. For the timeline of the Connection, I used a timeline to illustrate the many moments in history that marks Bucknell’s commitment to the Connection.
In the Burma-Bucknell Weekends section, I wrote four short essays with pictures of the Weekends that I could find, and highlighted the pamphlets of the Weekends, using an embedded PowerPoint presentation. The native Scalar gallery did not display the pictures as large as I wanted them to, and I couldn’t present the pamphlets easily. By using a PowerPoint, I could display the image properly and clicking on the picture of the brochure would pull up the brochure easily.
For the important people section, I presented Shaw Loo’s story, highlighting how far he travelled across the world. I used Storymaps JS because it was both easy to use and would easily show his footsteps. However, I don’t think it gives a complete picture of Shaw Loo, and to supplement this, I direct the reader to a transcript of Shaw Loo’s letter to Mr Stuart Epler ‘21.
In the beginning, I wanted to put in information about the Burma-Bucknell Bowl and the award it represents. I had the idea of scanning the bowl and putting the object in an interactive 3D environment. However, there were so many fine details on the bowl that I realized that scanning it would not be feasible and I didn’t have the skills to remake the bowl myself. I also tried to think of a way to show the award winners in an interesting way. In consultation with Courtney and Carrie, I dropped it due to time constraints.
Sources
Oliphant, J. Orin. The Rise of Bucknell University. Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1965.
Theiss, Lewis E. Centennial History of Bucknell University: 1846-1946. Grit Pub. Co. Press, 1946.
Hayley Stodart, “From Special Collections/University Archives: The Burma-Bucknell Bowl” 7 July 2019, https://lit.blogs.bucknell.edu/2019/02/26/from-special-collections-university-archives-the-burma-bucknell-bowl/
Unknown Transcriber, “Commencement Address: Aung San Suu Kyi” 18 July 2019,
https://www.bucknell.edu/info-about-attending-bucknell/who-we-are/history-and-traditions/awards/burma-bucknell-connection/commencement-address-aung-san-suu-kyi
Minutes and Business of the Bucknell University Christian Association 1948-1966, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Christian Association, Annual Report, 1961-1968 Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Bucknell University Christian Association Records, Burma-Bucknell Weekend, 1949-1959, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Bucknell University Christian Association Records, Burma-Bucknell Weekend, 1960-1965, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Bucknell University Christian Association Records, (Conferences, 1934-1967) Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Bucknell University Christian Association Records, Commitment and Action, 1965-1968, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Concern Through Action Records, Colloquy, 1968-1970, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Hammerlee, James. “Burma-Bucknell Weekend Revival 1984 to Bucknell University”, Oct 21-22, 1984, TS, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Barneda, David. History of the Burma-Bucknell Connection, circa 1998, TS, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Burma-Bucknell Connection Records, Announcements, 2008, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
International Student Services Records, Burma-Bucknell, 2002-2008, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Registrar Records, Commencement Addresses, 1988-2009, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Photograph Collection, Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
Burma-Bucknell: Historic Partnership Contemporary Crisis: Focus Semester Program 1998, Focus Records, (Semester, 1993-2000), Special Collections/University Archives, Bucknell University, Lewisburg PA.
