Ahead of his time?

May 3, 2017

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St. Ignatius of Loyola is widely known for founding the Society of Jesus in the 16th century. Now, evidence on Seattle University’s campus has at least one staff member wondering whether the first leader of the Jesuits can also be credited with originating a modern-era dance craze.

Encountering this statue at Loyola Hall, Mike Mullen of Facilities Services asks, “Is Ignatius the inventor of ‘The Dab’? What else could this be?” 

Indeed a careful review of the position of Ignatius’ arms and his slightly bowed head suggest that he is about to Dab (or that he has just finished Dabbing). One could very easily picture his left arm raised to eye level and his right arm outstretched, both angling upward in parallel formation, as if toward the heavens. Hmmm…