President Abraham Lincoln was spotted celebrating his 200th birthday on campus yesterday in Turlington Plaza.
This 16th U.S. President recited quotes and read aloud, pausing to argue with Brother Micah, who was also preaching in the plaza.
Lincoln, better known as UF alumnus Lew Welge, said this is his fourth or fifth year coming out for the re-enactment.
Wearing an old-fashioned black suit, Welge, 53, sported the iconic top hat and beard. He said his costume was designed by a woman in St. Augustine.
Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, Welge's appearance caused people passing by to do a double take.
"My first thought was it's interesting that there was a guy in a costume," said UF sophomore Tim Johnson. "But he's more than that; he's very philosophical."
Welge spoke eloquently about his own ideas and and quoted Lincoln occasionally.
"He's an icon, but let's avoid idolatry," said Welge. "I'm a re-enacter because I want people to appreciate him for his nuance, like our current president."
He said he first got the idea to dress up as Lincoln while working at Kirby-Smith Middle School in Jacksonville, Fla. Welge said he would hand out copies of the Gettysburg Address and read it to the students.
School visits and presentations are not uncommon for the Lincoln impersonator.
Part of Thursday was spent visiting a local school. Welge said the root word of education is educe, which means to draw out.
"The best teachers draw out innate wisdom," he said.
During his time at Turlington, Welge smiled at viewers and posed for pictures.
He also took a break to hear Brother Micah preaching to a crowd of students. Welge challenged Brother Micah on several points such as Catholic dogma and sin and the concepts of heaven and hell.
"These type of things need to be challenged, so that people's theological viewpoints can be in line with their spiritual inclusion."
He advised students to educate themselves in preparation for coming struggles, stay creative and fight for equal opportunity.
As a student walked away, Welge left him with some advice.
"Keep on learning, man. Lifelong learning is the best high," he said.
