Wayne Community College announces schedule for fall arts, humanities events
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 1, 2014 1:46 PM
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Cecilia Budd Grimes, author of "What It Means to be Southern," will address the topic as part of the Wayne Community College Foundation's Arts and Humanities season this fall.
The fall season of the Arts and Humanities program at Wayne Community College is celebrating a milestone of sorts -- a stellar lineup of events while bidding farewell to retiring director Bill Brettmann and ushering in his successor.
Brettmann served as director for 15 "happy years," he said in a letter to program patrons.
"I've enjoyed immensely my associations with so many of you over the years and have been astounded by so many who have done the suggested reading for non-credit courses," the 78-year-old wrote. "We are fortunate to have so many people step up to the plate to keep the wide diversity of our programs growing bigger and stronger every year.
"I feel privileged to have had a role to play in the infancy of this now fully grown-up Arts and Humanities program."
Jack Kannan, executive director of the WCC Foundation, applauded Brettmann's years of service.
"He came in and was asked to help us develop (the program). He's the backbone," he said. "Many others have contributed but he's developed the arts and humanities so we feel like it's one of the best in the state."
In addition to WCC providing academic and vocational training to residents, Kannan said that offering lectures, seminars and travel opportunities are worthwhile goals.
"We feel that part of our mission is outreach to serve the community so this is the Foundation's mission," he said. "I believe that because of our Arts and Humanities program over the last 15 years that we reached another milestone.
"We have $5 million in our endowment and I attribute this to the fact that we may not have football and basketball, but we have arts and humanities. People are responding to things like this."
The Foundation also boasts what Kannan calls "the best golf tournament in the state." Among the 58 community colleges in the state, the annual local event has been a consistent "money-maker" and provider of student scholarships.
"We're proud of the relationships we have developed in the community to where they look at this as a scholarship tournament -- we take 'golf' out of it -- and our community has supported it this way," he said, noting that through the "scholarship invitational" the Foundation is approaching $1.2 million in scholarships awarded over the 22 years since it was introduced.
Brettmann may physically retire from the post, but his name and presence will continue, Kannan said.
"We will be establishing a Bill Brettmann lecture series," Kannan said. "That'll actually be kicked off Nov. 30."
In addition to being the namesake, Brettmann will be called upon as he has in the past to lead some of the classes and book studies.
Kay Cooke is "heir apparent" to continue in the role as program director, Kannan said.
"We have been grooming her," he said. "She's been involved in the arts and humanities program for years."
Her efforts will be reflected in one of the best seasons to date, Kannan said -- including the Tarheel Sampler Lecture Series, several golf-themed events and the culmination of the lecture series on the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
The fall term kicks off with a five-part course about "The Story of the Jews," based on the recent acclaimed BBC series of the same name.
Brettmann will lead the class, starting Sept. 8 and continuing for the next four Monday evenings, at 5:30 p.m. in Walnut 101. Cost is $20 for individuals and $5 for couples.
The October lecture series is a "Tar Heel Sampler: Characters Who Put N.C. on the Map," the story of four characters and how they made this state unique.
Author Cecilia Budd Grimes will kick off the series at Goldsboro Country Club on Oct. 9 at 11:30 a.m. Registration is required by Sept. 30 for the $20 lunch and lecture. Based on her book, "What it Means to be Southern," she'll discuss things inherent to this region, from deviled egg plates and double names to traditions and rituals.
"Watergate Remembered," a lecture by Gene Boyce, will take place on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101. Boyce, a Raleigh attorney who assisted Sen. Sam Ervin for 99 days of televised hearings and world investigation related to the 1972 presidential campaign activities, was the lead investigator of the discovery of then President Nixon's taping system. He will discuss the role he played in the historic investigation. Registration is not required for the free event.
Marjorie Hudson, author of "Searching for Virginia Dare," blending history and fiction, will speak at a free event on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101.
The series will wrap up with award-winning author Jim Dodson discussing his book, "Golf: For the Love of the Game," sharing stories of those who have played and the role of Pinehurst. The free event will be held in Room 101 of Walnut on Monday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m.
Golf will also be the topic of a free November event, when Tripp Bowden, author of "Freddie & Me," visits the campus the evening of Nov. 3 in Walnut 101. He will recount some of the lessons from his book, which outlines life lessons from August National's legendary caddy master, Freddie Bennett. He'll share lessons learned from Bennett, who introduced him to the game of golf, a sport that ultimately earned him a college scholarship and led him to the final stages of a British Open qualifier.
A trip to Nasher Museum of Art is also on the docket, for Nov. 13. Led by Brettmann, registration is required in advance. The museum, located at Duke, features works by the celebrated Catalan artist and contemporary of Picasso, Joan Miro. The $35 fee includes lunch and admission to the museum.
Four events remain in the lecture series of the 150th anniversary of Civil War battles. All are free and will be held in Moffatt Auditorium, starting at 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 will be a discussion of Jubal Early's attack on Washington D.C. On Oct. 21, topic will be Sherman's march to the sea. The Battle of Franklin, Tenn. will take place on Nov. 18, followed by a discussion of the first and second battle of Fort Fisher on Dec. 16.
To register for a program, call 919-739-7017 and leave a name, phone number and program for which you are registering. For more information, e-mail esbyrd@waynecc.edu or register online at www.waynecc.edu/foundation/arts-and-humanities/.