Wayne Community College arts, humanities programs gear up for spring
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 22, 2017 12:30 AM
There is more to look forward to this spring than the thaw and warmer weather -- Wayne Community College Arts and Humanities program promises a lineup of heartwarming and innovative events.
From discussions about the rise of ISIS to reflecting on World War II, organizers have enlisted knowledgeable speakers, several with Goldsboro ties, along with a trip to explore the Outer Banks.
All under the umbrella of this year's theme, "Intersections" -- between people and ideas, seeing opportunities to better understand the issues that affect us today.
The season kicks off on March 13 with "The Rise of Isis" on Monday, March 13, at 5:30 p.m. in Walnut 101.
Goldsboro native Joby Warrick, an award-winning investigative reporter traces the strain of militant Islam behind ISIS first arose in a remove Jordanian prison and spread through the unwitting aid of two American presidents. His book, "Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS," won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction.
Judge Doug McCullough, who serves on the N.C. Court of Appeals will lead a discussion on "Eastern North Carolina's Modern Day Pirates" on Monday, March 27, at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101.
As recent as 1978-1988 coastal smuggling was the major criminal activity in eastern North Carolina, which serves as the setting for McCullough's book, "Sea of Greed." Beginning at Cape Lookout, N.C. on the fourth of July weekend in 1982, a routine stop by the Coast Guard set into motion a chain of events that ended with the U.S. invasion of Panama and the biggest drug bust in American history.
Dr. Eleanor Spice Rice, a Goldsboro native as well as entomologist and writer who now lives in Raleigh, has been tapped to speak on April 3 at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101 on the topic, "Your Belly Button and Beyond: You're Never Alone."
The intriguing title reflects the fact that eastern North Carolina is one of the most ecologically rich regions in the world, with many plant and animal species not found elsewhere. Dr. Rice will use her expertise to bring some of this to light, including spiders on the ceilings and the ants that invade picnics, while sharing other hidden treasures, and living creatures, that surround us in this community.
"From Lost Colony to P Pulitzer Prize: Paul Green -- North Carolina's Native Son" will be the April 10 program, also at 7 p.m. in Walnut 101.
Marsha Warren, literary and executive director of the Paul Green Foundation since 1991, will share about the accomplished life of Green, from his humble beginnings in Harnett County, becoming a freshman in 1916 at UNC, at 22, to creating the renowned outdoor drama, "The Lost Colony."
A trip to "Explore the Outer Banks" is next, the weekend of April 21-23. At $75 per person, the ticket includes entry fees to all site visits.
Highlights of the trip include visits to Fort Raleigh, the Wright Brothers Memorial where Wilbur and Orville made their first flight, the Elizabethan Gardens, a living memorial to Sir Walter Raleigh's lost colonists, Manteo's Waterside Theatre where the state's premier and longest-running outdoor drama continues to draw sold-out crowds, and Roanoke Island Festival Park, home o the 16th Century replica ship the Elizabeth II.
Reservations are due by March 1.
The final two programs on the spring schedule, on "World War II Remembered," will be led by Dr. Roy Heidicker, a popular speaker who is currently adjunct faculty member at University of Mount Olive.
Dec. 7, 2016 marked the 75th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War II. A series of talks is planned to commemorate that, starting with one in April and another in June. Both begin at 7 p.m., in Walnut 101.
The "Doolittle Raid" will be discussed during the April 24 session. Considered one of the most extraordinary operations in military history, it was retaliation after Pearl Harbor, with the U.S. taking 16 B-25 bombers to launch a raid on Tokyo.
"Midway," the focus of the June 5 program, depicts how the U.S. turned the tide of battle. Six months after Pearl Harbor, the Japanese fleet approached Midway to finish off what was left of the American fleet, in what became a crucial battle.
With the exception of the aforementioned trip to Outer Banks, programs on the schedule are free and open to the public.
Arts and Humanities, under the umbrella of the WCC Foundation, which funds scholarships. During the 2016-2017 school year the Foundation awarded more than 500 scholarships to students, totaling $379,850. For more information on these and other programs, visit the website, www.waynecc.edu/foundation, call 919-739-7017 or e-mail wcc-foundation@waynecc.edu.