AUBURN, NY – A professor from Cayuga Community College was recently featured to discuss historic railroad magnate Thomas Durant in an episode of History Channel’s “The Engineering That Built the World”.
Professor Sheila Myers, who has written three novels focusing on Durant, his family, and their historical role in building the transcontinental railroad, was featured in the episode titled “Race for the Railroad.” The episode aired on October 10 and will rerun Sunday, October 17 at 8 p.m. on the History Channel.
“It was an exciting opportunity to speak with the History Channel and be a part of this series and discuss Thomas Durant and the Transcontinental Railroad,” said Myers. “I think it’s an entertaining and informative way to learn more about someone who had personal and professional shortcomings, but who was an important figure at this time in American history.”
The series focuses on famous structures and engineering achievements across the world, with stops along the way for the Statue of Liberty, the Panama Canal, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It also captures the personal stories of the individuals and rivals involved in completing the structures.
The episode “Race for the Railroad” starring Myers focuses on the transcontinental railroad and tells the story of Thomas Durant and the Union Pacific Railroad and Charles Crocker of the Central Pacific Railroad.
“We focused on his motivation for building the railroad and how he used it as a platform to enrich himself and his family,” Myers said. “Her story is complicated because it includes so many accomplishments but also personal and ethical issues. “
Myers researched the Durant family for nearly a decade and was first drawn to them for their connection to the Adirondacks before expanding her reach to include their role in growing the industry. railway.
She published the first novel in her trilogy, “Imaginary Brightness”, in 2015, released “Castles in the Air” in 2016 and ended the trilogy in 2017 with “The Night is Done”. She received the Literary Award for Best Fictional Book 2017 from the Adirondack Center for Writing for “The Night is Done”.
For more information on the series, visit https://www.history.com/shows/the-engineering-that-built-the-world.
About Cayuga Community College
Founded in 1953, Cayuga Community College is one of 64 accredited institutions that make up the New York State University (SUNY) system. Cayuga provides open access and an affordable gateway to higher education, with courses and degree programs offered on the Auburn and Fulton, NY campuses and online. Cayuga Community College provides a strong liberal arts foundation for further education and career preparation. The College also responds to the identified needs of the community through targeted training and personal enrichment programs. By supporting academic excellence in a supportive learning environment, the College, a prudent manager of human and fiscal resources, is a valuable asset to the development of our local, regional and global communities.