Program to offer lecture variety
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on August 15, 2016 1:46 PM
The fall lineup for the Arts and Humanities program at Wayne Community College is heavy on variety and can best be described as "for the intellectually curious," Director Kay Cooke said.
"This is an opportunity to take advantage of things that you otherwise would never had had the chance to do," she said. "We're talking about things like politics in Iran and politics in North Carolina and this whole issue of globalization."
The spectrum ranges from Napoleon's influence over modern-day politics to local military hero John Stiles' sharing his observations about the role of Air America in the Vietnam War.
"There wasn't a theme but they all intersect in certain ways," said Adrienne Northington, executive director of the WCC Foundation, which coordinates the program. "With the local and global, we're now intersecting more and more. The world is coming to us a lot more, whether we like it or not."
As the 75th anniversary of the "Day of Infamy" approaches, when Pearl Harbor was bombed on Dec. 7 and the U.S. entered into World War II, a series of lectures will be led by local military historian Dr. Roy Heidicker. The first two will take place in the fall.
Another stellar program is planned to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo, with two lecturers from UNC-Chapel examining Napoleon's legacy in warfare and European culture.
"Last November, we were approached by a program coordinator with the UNC humanities program of the College of Arts and Sciences. They were wanting to outreach into other parts of the state with their program," Mrs. Northington said. "We vet a lot of speakers through this program but they wanted to bring it on campus and reach out to the eastern part of the state and get alumni that wouldn't come to their programs in Chapel Hill."
The popular Napoleon seminar has already been presented to sold-out crowds, Mrs. Cooke said.
"I lucked out getting it," she said. "They're really dynamic lectures.
"We asked them about coming east. They got a grant for outreach and we ended up being one of the pilot (programs)."
The following is the list of events scheduled for the fall:
*Air America, with Lt. Colonel (retired USAF) John Stiles -- Oct. 3, 7 p.m. in the Walnut building, room 101.
He will tell the story of the CIA's secret air arm in Laos during the Vietnam War. The clandestine airline in Southeast Asia, designed to look like a legitimate airline, flew support missions for the U.S. Stiles, who flew 192 combat missions in Thailand, and served during the Vietnam War, was shot down over Laos, successfully evading capture and being rescued by Air America.
*Napoleon and His Legacy: Warfare, Politics and Culture - Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., with lunch included. Cost is $40.
Presented by UNC and the WCC Foundation, Dr. Lloyd Kramer, professor of history and faculty director in the UNC-CH humanities program and recipient of the outstanding undergraduate teaching award and the Johnston Teaching Excellence Award, and Dr. Maximillian Owre, history lecturer at UNC-CH, will speak. Topics include theory of history and Napoleon's imperial system, the origins and implications of Napoleonic warfare and Napoleon and the meaning of empire, the latter a panel discussion.
Registration is due by Oct. 7.
*World War II before Pearl Harbor will be offered Sept. 12 at 7 p.m .in Walnut 104, with Heidicker and Jim Hinnant discussing America's relationship with its enemies and allies.
*The Attack on Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101, will focus on why Japan was able to move an entire fleet across t he Pacific and attack an American fleet anchored in Hawaii.
*Iran's Grand Strategy, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. in Walnut 101. Dr. Tony Rivera, visiting professor from Duke University, will speak about Iran's perspective on its own identity, its role in the world and it's challenges and goals.
*The Movers and Shakers in Stormy North Carolina Politics features Dr. Tom Eamon, professor of political science at East Carolina University. The lecture will be on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101. Eamon, author of "The Making of a Southern Democracy: North Carolina Politics from Kerr Scott to Pat McCrory," will track the political evolution in the state since the 1940s.
*Meet Us in Philadelphia, a trip that includes a stop at the famous Barnes Art Museum, will take place Nov. 4-6. Cost is $50 per person and includes entry fees to three museums.
Trip participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation and hotel accommodations. Registration is requested by Sept. 1.
In addition to other World War II programs anticipated in the spring, Mrs. Northington also provided a sneak peak at another coming attraction.
Wayne County native Joby Warrick, 2016 Pulitzer Prize winner and national security reporter for the Washington Post, will discuss his book, "Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS."
All programs are free, with the exception of those which indicate otherwise. For the ones which require registration, the fee is non-refundable.
For more information, visit www. waynecc.edu/foundation or call 919-739-7017.