WCC program features talks on issues
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 2, 2015 1:46 PM
From down East to the Middle East, the fall season of Arts and Humanities offerings at Wayne Community College promises an array of fresh and timely topics.
It features serious issues like the collapse of the old Middle East and the emergence of ISIS as well as lighter fare like why North Carolinians talk the way they do, with a trip to a botanical garden thrown in for good measure.
"This is the most exciting program that I feel like we have ever done in a series," said Jack Kannan, executive director of the WCC Foundation, which oversees the Arts and Humanities program.
It's a comment he makes virtually every season, despite efforts to avoid repeating himself.
Kannan has been at WCC for 24 years, 19 in his current role to bring cultural events to the community college.
"It started years ago whenever I was told we needed to get people on our campus and the thing was, I didn't have football or basketball," he recalls now. "Our golf tournament, our arts and humanities, everything is run by volunteers, people that have passion."
Bill Brettmann was at the helm of the arts and humanities program for years, selecting and scheduling interesting and innovative speakers, trips and events for the community to enjoy.
Kay Cooke started out as a volunteer in the program and took over the reins when Brettmann retired in 2014 after 15 years in the role.
While he readily gives credit to those who create the schedule each year, Kannan is especially proud of the fact that the Foundation program has become a large provider of student scholarships.
"This past year was the first year in the history of the college, we surpassed $1 million for the year, the most we've brought in for scholarships," he said.
In addition to special speakers and experts on timely topics, the historic trips -- Kannan admits he has visited Gettysburg "five or six times" -- have meant as much to him as anyone.
"It's really developed me, coming from a jock in high school and now getting cultural enriched in my older years," he said with a laugh. "The arts and humanities, that keeps me going.
"I jokingly tell people, it makes me do things and come back so reflective."
This year's lineup not only includes the usual fare, but reflects some additional partnerships.
"We have been in contact with UNC about establishing an outreach here, bringing their program to Wayne Community College and that gives people in eastern North Carolina the opportunity to attend," Kannan said.
Arts and Humanities also collaborated with the WCC continuing education department to provide a six-week course on the state's history.
"Strolling through North Carolina History" will take place on Thursdays, Sept. 17-Oct. 22, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 203 of Wayne Learning Center at WCC.
Sessions will explore the state's history from the 1930s through the 1980s, concentrating on a different decade each night.
The cost is $35, and can be paid at the customer service desk of the Walnut Building.
"Talkin' Tar Heel" will be the focus of the Sept. 21 event at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101.
Dr. Walt Wolfram, co-author with Dr. Jeffrey Reaser of a book by the same name, is a William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of English Linguistics at N.C. State University.
A leading expert on regional dialects, he will examine the rich regional, cultural and ethnic language practices of North Carolina over the years. He will explain why North Carolinians speak the way they do, discuss some of the dialect traditions and other cultural and historical traditions.
The event is free and open to the public.
At month's end there will be a "Gardens and Guns Day Trip" to Fayetteville to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, followed by lunch and a tour of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum.
The trip will be on Sept. 29. Cost is $25 per person.
Dr. Stanley Riggs, a coastal and marine geologist who has been researching modern coastal systems since 1962 and is on the faculty at East Carolina University, will speak on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101.
The free event will cover the topic, "Battle for North Carolina's Coastal System: Conflict Between the Natural Dynamics and Human Modification."
There will be a free program on "Collapse of the Old Middle East: A Future Vision," on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101.
Dr. Akram Khater, professor of history at N.C. State, will talk about the relationships with the middle east and take questions from the audience. The following week, on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101, Professor David Schanzer of Duke University will delve into the topic, "ISIS: Where Did It Come From? What Does It Believe?"
He will address its origins and ideology and field questions about its meaning for future U.S. policy in the region.
A lunch and learn event will be held on Oct. 7 at noon at Walnut Creek Country Club.
Susan Kelly will share anecdotes about her job as contributing editor of Our State magazine.
Cost is $25 per person, which includes lunch and lecture. Registration and payment are due by Oct. 1.
To register for a program, call 919-739-7017 and leave a name, phone number and the program being registered for, or e-mail esbyrd@waynec.edu, or register online at www.waynecc.edu/foundation/arts-and-humanities/