Civil War, heroes, films are among college's offerings
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 13, 2013 1:50 AM
Bill Brettman's letters to patrons of the arts and humanities programs at Wayne Community College have grown increasingly longer over the years, reflecting the diverse list of events on its calendar.
The director of the arts and humanities program likens the winter/spring term as a "Big Tent" under which an array of talents and options are housed.
The college's third annual Praxis Film Festival will be held later in the month, the weekend of Jan. 25 and 26. Featuring a compilation of short films from independent filmmakers, further details about the free event are to be announced. For updates, go online to www.wayneccfaculty.com/filmfestival/.
Brettman will again be teaching a study course, this time on "War Poets of the Western Front: 1914-1918."
"We'll be looking at the work of four of the most famous of these, Rupert Brooks, Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves and Wilfred Owen," he said.
The sessions will be held on the four Mondays of February, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25. Textbook for the course will be "The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry."
March will feature a series of lectures on the topic, "The Future of the Middle East -- What's Next?" On March 4, Dr. Sarah Shields, Bowman Gray distinguished term professor, department of history at UNC-Chapel Hill, will lay the groundwork for current issues facing that region. Two more lectures and films are being lined up, with the series concluding March 25 with Dr. Adram Khater, alumni distinguished university professor and director of middle east studies, at N.C. State University.
"Civil War Voices" will be this spring's play, featuring a variety of actors of all ages, to be presented in Moffatt Auditorium. Show times will be March 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. and on March 24 at 2 p.m.
North Carolina author Michael Parker, who teaches creative writing at UNC-Greensboro and has written novels, short stories and non-fiction, will be speaking and doing a book signing on Wednesday, March 27, at 7 p.m. in Walnut Room 101. The author of the recent novel, "The Watery Part of the World," also has local ties. His cousin is Peggy Womble of Goldsboro.
The popular 150th Anniversary Civil War Battle lecture series, which began last year, continues with seven events scheduled over the coming months, all being held at 7 p.m. in Moffatt Auditorium.
The first, on the Siege of Washington, N.C., will be on March 26. Other programs and dates, coinciding near the original battle date, include the Battle of Chancellorsville (April 23), Siege of Vicksburg (May 21), first day of Gettysburg (June 11), second day of Gettysburg (June 18), third day of Gettysburg (June 25) and the Battle of Chickamauga (Sept. 17).
The military will also be in the forefront during the month of April, starting with the arrival of the Vietnam Memorial Wall coming to the Goldsboro campus April 16-21. "The Wall That Heals" will be incorporated into several activities and events, in conjunction with the local Wayne County Veterans and Patriots Coalition.
On the evening of April 16, Brigadier General Dan Cherry and Lt. Col. John Stiles will share their stories, in "My Enemy, My Friend."
The Foundation's gala event this year will follow on April 18 -- "Escape Behind Enemy Lines -- the John Stiles Story." The Wayne County resident, shot down in North Vietnam in 1972, was rescued by the CIA in enemy territory.
As always, the arts and humanities schedule includes a trip, this time to Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville Civil War Battlefields.
Randy and Jewel Sauls will lead the group on April 27 and 28, leaving from the college that Saturday morning and returning the next day. Registration fee is $60 per person, which includes two lunches, tour fees and transportation.
For more information on any of the programs, call 919-739-7017 or go online to www.waynecc.edu/foundation/arts-and-humanities.