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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years of Fine Writers  H

Celebrating Twenty-Five Years of Fine Writers  H

Celebrating Twenty-Five Years of Fine Writers  h

Sherman Alexie 3/27

Jon Meacham 9/12 A. S. Byatt 11/12

Belle Boggs 1/16

James Dodson 10/14

Isabel Wilkerson 2/20 Martin Marty 9/13

Lou Berney 11/21

Junot Diaz 10/16 3/6

Mary Pope Osborne 4/5

VisitingWriters.LR.edu A Note from the Director s a visual artist, photographer, 2013–2014 Visiting and filmmaker, I have learned that writers series n our experience with the Visiting Writers Series, luck we foster communication when we steering committee is not just random chance. It is an act of generosity from bring our stories together. When people who care about making a positive impact on the we take the time to read, to dare Chair Sally Fanjoy culture and emotional well-being of our community. The to be present with our neigh­- Series Director Rand Brandes gifts that we have received have made us feel very lucky bors, and to listen to differing Series Consultant Lisa Hart Iover the past twenty-five years. We were lucky that when we points of view, we are en­- Student Asst. Abigail McRea presented the initial idea to start the Series to Dr. Robert riched and enlightened. Student Asst. Madison Turner Luckey Spuller, then Dean of Lenoir-Rhyne “College,” that We are transformed by fresh thoughts and new Tony Abbott he saw its potential and supported it the first year and for Aperspectives. ¶ The Lenoir-Rhyne Visiting Writers Mary Helen Cline years to come. We were lucky that subsequent university Series engages a wide spectrum of the community, Laura Costello Administrations continued to see the value of the Series, promotes civic discourse, creates opportunity for Sandra Deal which enabled us to enhance the Series and the cultural and people to come together and to hear new ideas and Mike Dugan educational experiences of our students. We are lucky to have attracts visitors from neighboring cities and states. Sarah Embry the backing of our President, Dr. Wayne Powell and of our Most importantly it sends out ripples of thoughtful Devon Fisher Provost, Dr. Larry Hall as we plan for the future. We’ve been energy that reach a diverse population. ¶ Every LRU Michele Francois lucky that the Lenoir-Rhyne faculty has embraced the Series Visiting Writers Series event opens the doors, real and Susan Gaither Jones by incorporating into their classes the works of our visiting imaginative, to all ages and ethnicities and provides a Sanford Guttler writers and by encouraging their students to attend our events. space for creative stimulation. I am grateful to be able Christian Harkins We were lucky to find an ever-evolvingSteering Committee to serve and to help ensure that we keep our hearts Keith Hart of talented community members who were passionate about and minds open for the future of our community and Kelley Hurley reading and improving the quality of life in our area. We have for our children. Veronica McComb been lucky because these Steering Committee members Chrisanne Mitchell have helped us identify writers whose stars were rising and Sally Fanjoy, Chair Adelia Parrado-Ortiz to bring them to Lenoir-Rhyne just as they burst onto the Lenoir-Rhyne University Carina Richardson national scene. We’ve been lucky to receive the enthusiastic Visiting Writers Series Misa Shuford support of our local and state Arts Councils, foundations, Steering Committee Allison Whitton and corporate sponsors who continue to believe in us and in the importance of literary arts programming. We’ve been With a special thank you to Elizabeth lucky to collaborate with many local cultural, civic, and Harris Brandes ~ Muse to the Series, government organizations on projects that have changed Goddess of Generosity, and Guardian of Goodness (and Grammar) for 25 years. our communities and our hearts and minds. We were lucky when we started The BIG Read and brought the traveling Vietnam War Memorial “The Wall that Heals” to Hickory or sponsored Wes Moore’s visit, a visit that was so important to our youth. When Soledad O’Brien interviewed Mitchell Gold and initiated an on-going conversation on lgbt rights, we were lucky to have helped open those doors. We were lucky to be able to launch The Little Read, an elementary school arts literacy program, thanks to the generosity of Ron and Sandra Deal and their family. We were lucky to find so many smart and energetic student assistants like Madison Turner and Abigail McRea and administrative assistants like Lisa Hart to manage the daily demands of the program. Finally, we were lucky to live in a community that values higher education, supports our students, and sustains the Series through their generous contributions that allow us to keep our events free and open to the public. Now that’s what I call luck! Thanks to all of you for your many, many gifts.

Sincerely, Rand Brandes, August 23, 2013 3 A Quarter Century of Literary Elites past vws steering committee members An Evening with undreds of elite writers have made the pilgrimage Louise Ackerman to Hickory, North Carolina, for the past twenty-five Julia Allen years. Some have won Nobel and Pulitzer prizes. Jon Meacham Nancy Allen Others have sold millions of books around the Thursday, September 12, 2013 Dale Bailey world. ¶ They come to Hickory for one reason: to P. E. Monroe Auditorium, 7:00 pm Anne Beach Hparticipate in Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Visiting Writers Series. deanne blackburn The authors draw big crowds eager to hear them read from Jon Meacham is a Pulitzer Connie Bray their works. It’s not uncommon for visiting writers to engage Prize-winning author and Becky Carr with LR’s students and faculty in intimate panel discussions executive editor at Random Kate Cartwright or question and answer sessions. They also interact with their House. He is a former co- Barry Dellinger fans for photos and autographs. ¶ The series was born of one anchor of the public-affairs John DePerczel man’s passion: Dr. Rand Brandes joined LR’s faculty in 1988 broadcast “Need to Know Matthew Ferebee and two months later started the Visiting Writers Series.¶ on PBS” and former editor Linda Ferguson Dr. Anthony Abbott, a long-time supporter of the series and of . His most Becky Ferrell retired English department chair at Davidson College, served recent book is Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, Martha Fogleman as LR’s visiting-writer-in-residence in the spring of 2007. And a number one New York Times bestseller. It has Clem Geitner he’s served on its board ever since. ¶ “The VWS is remarkably been named one of the best books of 2012 by the Elin George successful, not only because of its consistently fine list of New York Times Book Review, the Kim Gilliland writers and its variety of styles and personalities, but because Post, Entertainment Weekly, and the Times, Amy Greensfelder of how well the writers are cared for at LR, especially by Rand among others. His book American Lion: Andrew Kay Gregory [Brandes], who has done an absolutely stunning job of running Jackson in the White House was awarded the Joanne Hale the program,” Abbott said. “I know of no program that does Pulitzer Prize in 2009. He is also the author of two Lissa Hamilton more to enhance the national reputation of Lenoir-Rhyne.” more bestsellers: Franklin and Winston (2003) and Anna Harrison ¶ In addition to founding and directing the VWS, Brandes American Gospel (2006). Meacham, executive editor Rich Haunton serves as the University’s Martin Luther Stevens professor of and executive vice president of Random House, is a Whitney Heavner English. He’s a poet too, specializing in traditional verse with a contributing editor to Time magazine, former editor Barbara Herman musicality and lyricism that hints at his background in studying of Newsweek, and has written for publications such Susan Hesterberg Irish . ¶ Brandes earned his master’s and his Ph.D. from as and the Kathy Ivey Emory University in Atlanta before moving to Wake Forest Washington Post, among Kirstin Johnson University, where he taught for three years before making his others. Gordon Wood Kenyon Kelly way to LR. ¶ Since Brandes’s arrival, Lenoir-Rhyne has spent says of Meacham’s John Kenny the past twenty-five years hosting some of the nation’s best- Thomas Jefferson, Scott Lail known authors — from John Updike and Frank McCourt to “Probably the best Eileen & John Leach Alice Walker and Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney. single-volume Nancy Lisk Fortunately, thanks to a series of generous gifts, including a biography of Jefferson Tanya Melville $1.7 million bequest, the VWS is fiscally sound and has a bright ever written.” Steve Neuville future ahead of it. ¶ Whether the author speaks to a packed Neal Orgain house in the P. E. Monroe Auditorium, Belk Centrum, or a more Tim Peeler intimate audience in LR’s Carl A. Rudisill Library, the reception Phyllis Proctor given to the visiting writer is the same: faculty, students, and the Adrian Rice community turn out in enthusiastic force. ¶ “In we pride Patty Schenk ourselves on our hospitality and generosity to visitors. Well, Amanda Sperry both of these qualities were found in abundance on campus,” Alice & bob Spuller said Irish poet Joan McBreen of her visit to LR during the 2010– Ed Tashijian 2011 school year. ¶ “People asked genuine, caring questions, Deb Wakefield seemed invested in reading and understanding and discussing Patty Wheeler viewpoints . . . . I loved it and would definitely recommend LR Anne Williams to others. In fact, I have done that,” said Arab-American poet, Bob Williams novelist, and songwriter Naomi Shihab Nye of her visit to LR Tammy Wilson during the 2005–2006 school year. “Lenoir-Rhyne University Lynn Young 5 and Hickory both felt welcoming and familiar, as if people cared. A guest writer wasn’t just another stranger passing through.” ¶ After An Evening with a few years on the lecture circuit, many writers grow accustomed to being greeted by an unenthused audience ignorant of their body of work. LR bucks that trend. ¶ “What impressed me most was how Martin Marty many students were already familiar with my work. That’s very Friday, September 13, 2013, Belk Centrum, 7:00 pm rare,” said Mark Powell, novelist and writer-in-residence during the Co-sponsored by LRU’s Institute for Faith & Learning 2007–2008 school year. “[That] means other faculty members had taken the time to assign my work and make the reading something Martin Marty is an useful . . . not merely something that had to be attended.” ¶ Brandes American Lutheran and the VWS committee members set the schedule about a year religious scholar and author in advance and focus on ensuring diversity among the writers. of more than sixty books. “Not just by gender and ethnicity — we want to get a good mix “A fascinating account of what His book Righteous Empire: of writers among the genres from fiction and creative non-fiction goes on in the minds of an The Protestant Experience astonishing array of storytellers to plays and poetry. This year we’re going to have a theologian,” across the literary spectrum. No in America (1970) won the Brandes said. “We focus on writers whose books have been well library is complete without it. for Its unique format brings writers received and have won awards. We also want writers who are good into your home like few other Philosophy and Religion. Among his other books performers.” ¶ The lucky ones are invited to join the teaching publications can. (Lenoir-Rhyne are the three-volume Modern American Religion; faculty as writers-in-residence for a semester. “My time at LR was University’s Visiting Writers the five-volumeThe Fundamentalist Project; Series gets an A plus from this the first time I felt like an actual writer, not merely someone trying writer: They make writers feel Being Good and Doing Good; Martin Luther; and to write on the edges of life,” Powell said. “I wrote an entire draft like rock stars!) Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers. Marty is of my third novel, The Dark Corner, while in residency.” ¶ During — David Baldacci not only an author, but he is also a pastor, speaker, their time on campus, the writers have the opportunity to forge teacher, columnist, and editor. He was a professor rewarding bonds with students. “I was extremely impressed with of religious history at the University of Chicago the quality of my students’ writing and have been thrilled to see Divinity School for thirty-five years, where he one of my former students, Stephanie Gaither, already go on to received the Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished publish a novel,” said novelist Abigail DeWitt, writer-in-residence Service Professor Emeritus. Other honors and during the 2009–2010 school year. “Another student, Rachel awards he has received include the National Welty, who was in my freshman composition class, wrote such a Humanities Medal, the Medal of the American beautiful essay about Michael Parker’s novel If You Want Me to Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Distinguished Stay that I sent him a copy of it. I’m honored to have played a small Service Medal of the Association of Theological part in their educations, and in the educations of my other LR Schools, the Order students.” ¶ After having spent a quarter century bringing more of Lincoln than two hundred writers to Lenoir-Rhyne University, Brandes has Medallion established connections with some of the top writers in the English (Illinois’ language. In 2011, he published What Writers Do, the first in a top honor), series of publications dedicated to documenting the VWS. It looks and eighty behind the scenes to present an insider’s view of the writer’s craft honorary from the perspective of thirty-five authors — from John Updike LRU’s 2008 “Spirit of doctorates. and Frank McCourt to Mitchell Gold and Joan McBreen. “The Black Mountain College” celebration was the only lineup of writers in that volume is amazing,” McBreen said. “How major acknowledgment in the honored I feel to have something of my life and work included in country of BMC’s seventy-fifth anniversary. The celebration it.” ¶ A new two-book boxed set commemorating 2008’s Spirit of received international AP Black Mountain College partnership is scheduled for release in coverage and included readings, the coming school year. Called From the Centers of Ambition, it’s a installations, exhibitions, and performances in music, collaboration of fifty-two authors. ¶ Lenoir-Rhyne isn’t the biggest dance, and theatre. Far From university in the Southeast, but it’s built a reputation for having one the Centers of Ambition, a of the nation’s premier writers series. two-volume set with slipcase, joins “Spirit” participants with other writers, artists, scholars, Richard Gould’s article first appeared in the Fall 2013 edition and critics influenced by BMC and captures the uniqueness of Profile: The Magazine of Lenoir-Rhyne University of its ever-evolving legacy.

7 Lenoir-Rhyne An Evening with university’s visiting Writers series twenty-five years James Dodson of fine writers Monday, October 14, 2013, Newton, NC The Green Room Community Theatre, 7:00 pm 1988–1989 Paul Muldoon James Dodson is one of today’s most esteemed golf 1989-1990 writers. He is the editor of Robert Hedin award-winning PineStraw Nathalie Anderson Magazine in Southern Pines, Michael Waters North Carolina, the arts Jennifer Jordan and culture magazine of the Members of the LR English Department celebrate the retirement, in 1999, of Dr. Suzanne Jeffers (in red) at the house of Rand and Beth Brandes. Carolina Sandhills. Dodson’s 1990-1991 journalism awards include the prestigious William Derek Mahon Allen White Award for Public Affairs Journalism from Helen Vendler the University of Kansas. His work has appeared in Eamon Grennan over fifty magazines and newspapers worldwide. His David Bottoms bestselling books include Final Rounds, Beautiful Olga Broumas Madness, The Dewsweepers, The Road to Somewhere, Faithful Travelers, A Golfers Life (with Arnold Palmer), Donald Secreast and Ben Hogan: An American Life, which won the Linda Lightsey Rice USGA International Book Award in 2005. His 1996 EilÉan Ni book Final Rounds was awarded the Golf Book of the ChuilleanÁin Year from the International Network of Golf. He wrote John Skoyles a column for Golf Magazine for nearly twenty years, Linda Brown Bragg and in 2011 he received the Donald Ross Award from Betty Adcock the American Society of Golf Course Architects for his Richard Murphy contribution to golf literature. His most recent book is American Triumvirate: Paul Muldoon’s 1988 visit to Lenoir-Rhyne 1991-1992 How Ben Hogan, Sam initiated the VWS, which would formalize itself the following year. Michael Yeats Snead and Byron Declan Kiberd Nelson Created Dori Sanders the Modern MISSION STATEMENT: The Sarah Gilbert Age of Golf. Visiting Writers Series of Lenoir- Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill Rhyne University believes that Nola Richardson reading is an essential element in the creation of vibrant communities. Betty Adcock We invite authors to talk about Seamus Heaney their inspirations and their work in a relaxed environment before 1992-1993 university and community audiences. Lee Smith We believe the beauty and power Gerald Barrax of words help us make sense of the Chuck Sullivan world. Children’s writers, mystery writers, essayists, poets, novelists Within three years the Visiting Writers Series had firmly established itself, receiving its first grants Fiona Cheong and creating its Writer-and-Residence Program. Inclusivity and the cultivation of a community — all participate in this celebration of readers have been from the beginning integral to the VWS ethos. Fred Chappell of the written and . We Linda Lightsey Rice believe that a community of readers John Montague is a better community.

9 1993-1994 Reynolds Price An Evening with James Applewhite Deborah Pope Susan Ludvigson Junot Díaz Linda Lightsey Rice Wednesday, October 16, 2013 Donald Davis Belk Centrum, 7:00 pm

1994-1995 Junot Díaz, a Dominican-American Ellen Gilchrist writer who writes about the Scott Owens struggles of life as an immigrant, Flier for Nola Richardson, 1991. Bret Lott is a Pulitzer Prize winner. His Kate Daniels book This Is How You Lose Her, Dannye a New York Times bestseller, was Poster for an “An Evening of Poetry and Romine Powell a National Book Award finalist. Music,” a 1992 event presented jointly by the VWS and the LR Concert Series. Ciaran Carson More of his critically acclaimed Collaboration between the VWS and other R. S. Gwynn works include Drown and the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winning organizations both on campus and in the community has been at the heart of the Terry Gifford The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Díaz co-founded In 1992, the Irish poet Seamus Heaney made his first program from its earliest years. the Voices of Our Nation Workshop, a place for minority appearance at LR. He would return in 2002 as a Nobel Laureate, having been awarded the prize in 1995. writers to come together and participate in writing 1995-1996 workshops. He was recently awarded the MacArthur Steven Yount “Genius” Fellowship. About his book This Is How You Lose Flier for the 1991–1992 season. Kathryn Her, Publishers Weekly writes, “Raw and honest, these Stripling Byer stories pulsate with raspy ghetto hip-hop and the subtler Julie Kate Howard yet more vital echo of the human heart.” He is the current Betty Adcock Nancy Allen Professor of Writing at the Massachusetts Kaye Gibbons Institute of Technology. Mark & Gail Mathabane Todd McEwen Marie Heaney Ruthanne Lum McCunn Poster for Gerald Barrax’s 1992 appearance. “No Admission Charge” would later become “Free and Open to the Public,” 1996-1997 but the message has remained the same: Michael Longley exceptional literary programming accessible to everyone in the community. Clyde Edgerton Wilma Dykeman Eleanora E. Tate Terry Gifford Ron Whitehead Peter Fallon Autographed program for Lee Smith’s 1992 appearance. Nigel Jenkins R. T. Smith reads in the Poster for Fiona Menna Elfyn Rudisill Library’s Quiet Cheong’s 1992 Room, which provided appearance. Iwan Llwyd an intimate atmosphere Essential to its over the years for “In Their mission, the Own Words,” the VWS VWS has sought 1997-1998 tagline until the current and welcomed a Jill McCorkle logo was adopted for the diversity of voices 20th anniversary season, to the LR campus Billy Collins 2008–2009, coinciding over the years. Paul Muldoon with Lenoir-Rhyne’s transition to a university. 11 Dori Sanders Bob Inman An Evening with Saleem Peeradina Ernest J. Gaines J. California Cooper A. S. Byatt Todd McEwen Tuesday, November 12, 2013 P. E. Monroe Auditorium, 7:00 pm 1998-1999 Lee Smith A. S. Byatt is a novelist, Lee Eric Shackleford short story writer, and Lewis Nordan poet. She is renowned E. Ethelbert Miller internationally for all of her Jan Karon works. Her novels include Jorge the Booker Prize-winning Velasco Mackenzie Possession: A Romance, Poster for the fall of 1993. The mid 1990s Jade Ngoc The Biographer’s Tale, welcomed many of North Carolina’s finest Interior of the 1993–1994 program. writers to the LR campus. Quang Huynh The Virgin in the Garden, Still Life, Babel Tower, Shelby Foote and A Whistling Woman. Her most recent novel, John Shelton Reed The Children’s Book, was published in 2009. Her Kathryn highly acclaimed collections of short stories Stripling Byer include Sugar and Other Stories, The Matisse Stories, The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye, 1999-2000 Elementals, and Little Black Book of Stories. Byatt Yusef Komunyakaa is also a distinguished critic and the editor of The Linda Beatrice Brown Oxford Book of the English Short Story. She was recognized for her talent and acclaimed status Adrian Rice in 1990 and awarded a CBE (Commander of the Nathalie Anderson British Empire). In 1999, she was given damehood Jill Jones (DBE). The Times newspaper recognized Byatt Robert Morgan in 2008 as one of the greatest British writers Sue Ellen Bridgers since 1945. Luis Rodriguez Orson Scott Card Poster for the fall of 1995. Poster for the fall of 1997. Poster for the spring of 1998. Joseph Bathanti Connie Brisco

2000-2001 Carolyn Kizer Ernest Suarez Pat Conroy Eavan Boland Joe Connelly Afaa M. Weaver Ron Rash Michael Strickland Lucinda Roy Benjamin Alire SÁenz

2001-2002 Poster for the fall of 1996. Richard Chess

13 Robert Conley Nicolae Dabija An Evening with Bret Lott Josephine Humphreys John Stone Lou Berney Nikki Giovanni Thursday, November 21, 2013 R. T. Smith Belk Centrum, 7:00 pm Kyle Gann Lou Berney is an accomplished novelist and 2002-2003 teacher. He is the author Coleman Barks of Gutshot Straight, which Seamus Heaney was nominated for a Barry Bill Bryson Award and named on the Marilyn Nelson best debut crime novels In collaboration with the Hickory Public Library, the VWS welcomed Shelby Foote to P. E. Monroe Auditorium in April of 1999. of 2010 by Booklist, and (Leroi Jones) its sequel Whiplash River. He has published a Mary Hood collection of short stories titled The Road to Bobby Saleem Peeradina Joe and Other Stories. More of his short fiction has appeared in publications such as , 2003-2004 , and the Pushcart Prize anthology. Billy Collins Berney has also written feature screenplays and Joan McBreen created TV pilots for Warner Brothers, Paramount, Kathy Reichs ABC, and Fox, among others. He currently teaches Richard Ford creative writing at the University of Oklahoma and Michael Knight Oklahoma City University. Martin Espanda

2004-2005 Ron Whitehead Poster for Pat Conroy’s visit, in 2000. Anne Fadiman Jonathan Lethem Poster for the 2002–2003 season, which included the return of Seamus Heaney as a Nobel Laureate. “Building a Community of Readers” appears Bob Inman on the spring 1999 poster. Alice Walker Adrian Rice Invitation. During the 15th season, Billy Collins Dale Bailey returned as the . 2005-2006 lÊ thi diem thÚy Frank Deford Naomi Shihab Nye Tim O’Brien

2006-2007 Invitation. In collaboration with the James Bradley Hickory Museum of Art, the VWS mounted an exhibition of Seamus John Updike Heaney archival material during his Anthony S. Abbott 2002 visit. 15 Nikkey Finney An Evening with James McBride Christopher Paul Curtis Belle Boggs LRU Spring 2014 Writer-in-Residence 2007-2008 Thursday, January 16, 2014 Thomas Rain Crowe Belk Centrum, 7:00 pm Duchess of Abercorn Walter Isaacson Belle Boggs is LRU’s Spring Frank McCourt 2014 Visiting Writer- Tracy Kidder in-Residence. Her first Mark Powell book, Mattaponi Queen, Jane Smiley published in 2010, is a Jon Scieszka collection of short stories that won the Bakeless Prize 2008-2009 and the Library of Virginia Galway Kinnell Award. Kirkus Reviews named it as one of the Anna Quindlen best debut fiction books of 2010. Her fiction and Jonathan Kozol nonfiction have appeared in venues likeThe Paris Terry McMillan Review, Glimmer Train, At Length, storySouth, Five Flier. In 2005, the VWS collaborated with Hickory’s African American Julie Fay Chapters, Oxford American, Blackbird, and Orion. Cultural Center to bring Alice Walker to town and campus. geraldine brooks Kirkus Reviews says of Boggs and Mattaponi Bruce Lansky Queen, “[Boggs] writes with subtlety, empathy, Poster for the 2003-2004 season. and command, so that every page features small the spirit of black surprises: jolts of recognition, pungent dialogue, mountain college keen observations. Unfussy, understated, and Ted Pope richly varied stories — a promising debut.” Lee Ann Brown Southern Living has Lisa Jarnot also given Boggs Thomas Meyer the epithet of Jeff Davis “Best New Michael Rumaker Southern Thomas Rain Crowe Author.”

2009–2010 Richard Rodriguez Marisha Pessl Tess Gallagher Paula Meehan Jeannette Walls Paula Vogel Mitchell Gold Abigail DeWitt

2010–2011 John Feinstein Mailer announcing the 2005–2006 season with contribution invitation. Joan McBreen Support of the Series from both Lenoir-Rhyne University and the Poster for the 2004-2005 season. community has made it the success it is today. Cathy Smith Bowers Rhett Iseman Trull

17 A. J. Jacobs Luis Alberto Urrea An Evening with John Granger W. S. Merwin Amina McIntyre Isabel Wilkerson Kevin Young Thursday, February 20, 2014 David Baldacci Belk Centrum, 7:00 pm Deborah Wiles Isabel Wilkerson is the first 2011–2012 African American woman Wes Moore to win a Pulitzer Prize in the history of American Edward P. Jones journalism. She is the Isaac Anderson author of The Warmth Judy Goldman of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Lynne Cherry Migration, a New York Times and international Alexander best seller. In writing on the great migration, McCall Smith Wilkerson used the story of her parents’ migration Poster, bookmark, and poster. Tim O’Brien’s to fuel her fifteen years of extensive research. The 2006 appearance marked the first The BIG Read, a community-wide reading initiative 2012-2013 result was, according to Tom Brokaw, “an epic led by Catawba Valley Community College, Nicholas Sparks for all Americans who want to understand the Catawba County Public Library System, Hickory Public Library, and Lenoir-Rhyne’s Nicholas Carr making of our modern nation.” John Stauffer of VWS. Numerous other organizations became Bernice L. McFadden the Wall Street Journal claims that “The Warmth involved, including the Catawba County Museum of History, which mounted a large- Marie Howe of Other Suns is a brilliant and stirring epic. . . scale exhibition of objects that Catawba John Burnham . [Ms. Wilkerson] humanizes history, giving it County veterans had with them during their service in Vietnam. Schwartz emotional and psychological depth.” The Warmth Sandra Beasley of Other Suns was a National Book Critics Circle Philip Schultz Award Winner and named one Cynthia Lord of the best books of the year according to the New York 2013-2014 Times, The New Yorker, Jon Meacham and the Boston Globe, Martin Marty among many others. James Dodson Junot Diaz A. S. Byatt Lou Berney Belle Boggs Isabel Wilkerson Joseph Bathanti Mary Pope Osborne

Article from the Charlotte Observer, September 9, 2006. John Updike read in P. E. Monroe Auditorium on November 16 and graciously signed books and shook hands in the Cromer Center afterwards until the long line dwindled. He would pass away two years later, on January 27, 2009.

19 An Evening with Joseph Bathanti Thursday, March 6, 2014 Belk Centrum, 7:00 pm

Joseph Bathanti is a poet, novelist, professor, and North Carolinian. He is the author of six books of poetry: Communion Partners, Anson County, The Feast of All Saints, This Metal, which was nominated for the National Book Award, Land of Amnesia, and Restoring Sacred Art. His first novel, East Liberty, was published in 2001 and won the Carolina Novel Award. His latest novel, Coventry, won the 2006 Novello Literary Award. Bathanti has also published a collection of short stories, The High Heart, and a work of nonfiction,They Changed the State: The Legacy of North Carolina’s Poster for the 2006-2007 season, with Christopher Mailer announcing the 2007-2008 season. Children’s author Jon Visiting Artists, 1971–1995. He is the recipient of Paul Curtis, The Little Read’s first author. Scieszka marked the second annual The Little Read, founded with the support of the Ron and Sandra Deal family in memory of their a Literature Fellowship from the North Carolina daughter Sara Catherine Deal Temple. Arts Council; the Samuel Talmadge Ragan Award, which is presented annually for outstanding The 2008–2009 season included a VWS appearance in the March contributions to the fine arts of North Carolina; issue of Our State magazine. Pictured on the recto of the opening spread is Frank McCourt signing books, during his visit in 2007, the Linda Flowers Prize; the Sherwood Anderson at the Hickory Public Library, an essential VWS programming Award; the 2007 Barbara Mandigo Kelly Peace partner for many years. Poetry Prize; and others. He is professor of creative writing at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. On August 30, 2012, Joseph was named Poet Laureate of North Carolina.

21 Lenoir-rhyne university’s visiting Writers series tWentieth anniversary 2008-2009 gaLWay KinneLL anna QuindLen Jonathan KozoL terry McMiLLan JuLie Fay Bruce LansKy 2007-2008 thoMas rain croWe duchess oF aBercorn WaLter isaacson FranK Mccourt tracy Kidder MarK An Evening with PoWeLL Jane sMiLey Jon scieszKa 2006-2007 JaMes BradLey John uPdiKe anthony s. aBBott niKKey Finney gary snyder christoPher PauL curtis 2005- 2006 Le thi dieM thuy FranK deFord Joyce caroL oates KeLLy LinK naoMi shihaB nye tiM o’Brien 2004-2005 ron Whitehead anne FadiMan Jonathan LetheM thoMas Sherman Alexie Lynch sharon oLds BoB inMan aLice WaLKer adrian rice daLe BaiLey 2003-2004 BiLLy coLLins Joan McBreen Kathy reichs richard Ford MichaeL Knight saMueL r. deLany Martin esPanda 2002-2003 coLeMan Thursday, March 27, 2014, Belk Centrum, 7:00 pm BarKs seaMus heaney BiLL Bryson MariLyn neLson aMiri BaraKa (Leroi Jones) Mary hood saLeeM Peeradina 2001-2002 Co-sponsored by the Hickory Public Library richard chess roBert conLey nicoLae daBiJa Bret Lott JosePhine huMPhreys John stone, M.d. niKKi giovanni r. t. sMith KyLe gann Leroy Quintana 2000- 2001 caroLyn Kizer ernest suarez Pat conroy eavan BoLand Joe conneLLy Lenoir-rhyne Sherman Alexie, a poet, aFaa M. Weaver ron rash MichaeL University stricKLand Lucinda roy BenJaMin aLire saenz 1999-2000 yuseF KoMunyaKaa Linda Beatrice BroWn vandorn hinnant writer, and filmmaker, is donaLd haLL adrian rice nathaLie anderson JiLL Jones roBert Morgan sue eLLen Bridgers Luis rodriguez known for his ability to orson scott card JosePh Bathanti LesLie MarMon siLKo connie Brisco 1998- 1999 Lee sMith Lee eric shacKLeFord convey life on a Native LeWis nordan e. etheLBert MiLLer Jan Karon Jorge veLasco MacKenzie Jade ngox Quang huynh sheLBy Foote John American reservation. sheLton reed Kathryn striPLing-Byer 1997-1998 JiLL MccorKLe BiLLy coLLins PauL MuLdoon dori sanders BoB inMan twenty years of In his work, Alexie saLeeM Peeradina ernest J. gaines J. oUtstanding caLiFornia cooPer todd MceWen 1996- writing 1997 MichaeL LongLey cLyde edgerton WiLMa dyKeMan eLeanora e. tate terry illustrates the difficulties giFFord ron Whitehead Peter FaLLon JaMes WeLch nigeL JenKins Menna eLFyn iWan LLWyd 1995-1996 steven yount and challenges that have Kathryn striPLing-Byer JuLie Kate hoWard Betty adcocK Kate giBBons MarK & gaiL MathaBane todd MceWen to be faced daily on a reservation. He uses his Marie heaney ruthanne LuM Mccunn 1994-1995 eLLen giLchrist scott oWens Bret Lott Kate danieLs dannye roMine experiences as inspiration for his short stories PoWeLL ciaran carson r. s. gWynn terry giFFord BiLLy coLLins 1993-1994 reynoLds Price JaMes aPPLeWhite deBorah PoPe and poetry collections. His first novel,Reservation susan Ludvigson Linda Lightsey rice donaLd davis 1992-1993 Lee sMith geraLd Barrax chucK suLLivan Fiona cheong Fred chaPPeLL Linda Lightsey rice John Blues, received an American Book Award. Prior Montague 1991-1992 MichaeL yeats decLan KiBerd dori sanders sarah giLBert nuaLa ni dhoMhnaiLL noLa richardson to , Alexie was awarded a PEN/ Betty adcocK seaMus heaney 1990- 1991 dereK Mahon heLen vendLer eaMon grennan david BottoMs Hemingway Award for his short story collection oLga BrouMas charLes siMic donaLd seacrest Linda Lightsey rice eiLean ni chuiLLeanain John sKoyLes Linda Bragg- The and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven. BroWn Betty adcocK richard MurPhy 1989- 1990 PauL MuLdoon roBert hedin nathaLie anderson MichaeL Waters JenniFer Jordan Recently, Alexie received a National Book Award Program for the 2008-2009 season. Poster celebrating the VWS’s 20th anniversary. for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, a novel for young adults. He was also presented with the 2010 THE SPIRIT OF BLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE PEN/Faulkner Award POETRY + MUSIC + ART + THEATRE + DANCE for Fiction for War Dances, a collection of short stories and poems.

EVENT HERE

Sign. The 2008, 2oth Anniversary season began with The Spirit of Directional sign displayed on campus during the celebration. Black Mountain College, in celebration of BMC’s 75th anniversary.

naMe: Lenoir-rhyne presents “The Spirit of Black Mountain College”

eMaiL: with the norTh CaroLina DanCe TheaTre aDDreSS: & the norTh CaroLina SChooL of The arTS 1370 1370 Saturday, September 27, 2008 | 8:00 PM P. e. Monroe auditorium

GeneraL aDMiSSion $10 advance | $15 Door Would you like to receive future mailings? information & Directions: www.BlackMountainCollegeCelebration.com yeS no

Ticket. 23 Underlying image: Josef Albers by Hazel Larsen Archer (Archer images courtesy of the BMCM+AC & Estate Arche r; additional historical unless noted); below: NCDT’s Bolero Jeff Cravotta; Music at Lee Hall 193 0s Kenelm Winslow; Jonathan Williams Roger Manley

THE SPIRIT Of BlACk MOUNTAIN COllEgE to the role of the imagination and arts. Educational 6 75TH ANNIvERSARY CElEBRATION reform is in the air in the U.S. today – reform based upon arts integrated learning. BMC is an idea whose 11 An Afternoon with Join us as we weave together community and the time has come again. 2 2 2 2 individual, experimental learning and traditional 1 7 education, and the mountains of Asheville with vISITORS INfORMATION 0 0 0 0 the foothills of Hickory for Lenoir-Rhyne College’s celebration of the arts through literature, music, and www.BlackMountainCollegeCelebration.com 2 0 0 0 0 dance. This is the Black Mountain College celebration: 8 Mary Pope

9 9 9 9 9 the 75th anniversary of the educational experiment Please visit us on the Web for directions to lenoir- 12 I 4 that worked. Events are free except where indicated. Rhyne and the Hickory Museum of Art, as well 5 f as for a thorough list of hotel accomodations. MaRCh a Civil War novel MaRCh a Civil War novel MaRCh a Civil War novel MaRCh a Civil War novel by geraldine Brooks by geraldine Brooks by geraldine Brooks by geraldine Brooks THE MISSION for additional information regarding hotels, call P 10 Osborne the Hickory Metro Convention & visitors Bureau: 3 i g [2006 Pulitzer [2006 Pulitzer [2006 Pulitzer [2006 Pulitzer • To celebrate the life and legacy of Black Mountain 828.322.1335 or 800.509.2444. for the otherwise s

Thomas Meyer sash and red her,after her basket meadow scatter this wind-run apricots hides each ankle down honey-thick thistle foot lifts, her,circle her swallows length, larkspur, look shoulder curled, softly (1927–2005)”“ g uy Davenport 12) Rauschenberg Robert 11) The f our Temperaments 10) Teaching Josef Albers at BMC Rauschenberg9) Robert & Sue Weil 8) Elizabeth Jennerjahn 7) Buckminster f de k 6) Willem 5) Thomas Rain Crowe & 4) Cilla v 3) John Cheek 2) Ted Pope 1) Elizabeth Jennerjahn Prize Winner] Prize Winner] Prize Winner] Prize Winner] College, which is recognized around the world as unanswerable regarding the celebration, email us at C

Hazel Larsen ArcherHazel Larsen Balanchine© The George Trust Choreography by Balanchine George John Campbell ArcherHazel Larsen ArcherHazel Larsen ArcherHazel Larsen ArcherHazel Larsen The Boatrockers ArcherHazel Larsen The Little Read 2014 Author [email protected] or call 828.328.7077. o one of the most important educational and artistic ee – l ife Arts ul author talk author talk author talk author talk movements of the 20th century in the United States. ooning d & reading & reading & reading & reading uller Saturday, April 5, 2014 The work of BMC artists can be seen and heard in F april 24, 7:00 PM april 24, 7:00 PM april 24, 7:00 PM april 24, 7:00 PM museums and concert halls across the globe. arts & Science arts & Science arts & Science arts & Science ly Center auditorium Center auditorium Center auditorium Center aP.uditorium E. Monroe Auditorium, 12:00 noon softly • To celebrate BMC’s attempt to reform higher education curled, shoulder in the United States by emphasizing the arts and creative length, larkspur, look reasoning. To stimulate meaningful discussions about circle her, her April 4, Mary Pope Osborne is a the current state of education at all levels. swallows P. E 1:00 foot lifts, thistle . Monro pm e Audito children’s book author. She • To bring together local, regional, and nationally downcircle honey-thick her, her rium LRU recognized artists who embody the experimental hides each ankle Josef Albers, March 1935: foot lifts,apricots thistle Spirit of Black Mountain College. scatter this wind-run is known for the highly down honey-thick meadow . . . As will be at once obvious, we have no after her, her basket • To collaborate with arts organizations on a local inclincation to play at being Greeks, Trouba- and red sash imaginative and successful and regional level – Hickory, Asheville, and Charlotte. dours, or Victorians; for we consciously belong to hides each ankle the second third of the Twentieth Century. We Magic Tree House series, • To prepare the way for the establishment of a are not enamoured of astrological, zoological, apricots Black Mountain College Summer Institute at lenoir- heraldic or cabalistic fashions. We have hunted scatter this wind-run which won her a Lifetime Rhyne College beginning summer 2009. neither the phoenix nor the unicorn, we have dug up no helmet and plume, nor have we tacked on learned mottoes. And for “Sapientia” “Some “Some “Some “Some Achievement Award. She WHY BlACk MOUNTAIN COllEgE? WHY NOW? or “Virtus” we are still too young. meadow Instead, as a symbol of union, we have steps require steps require steps require steps require BMC (1933–1957) was one of the most important has published forty-five chosen simply a simple ring. It is an emphasized For a complete more effort For a complete more effort For a complete more effort For a complete more effort and influential experiments in education in the 20th ring to emphasize coming together, standing schedule of schedule of schedule of schedule of century. Its teachers and students went on to shape together, working together. Or, it is one circle after her, her basket events visit than others” events visit than others” events visit than others” events visit thanbooks others” — soon to be forty-six — in the series. They dance, music, theatre, literature, architecture, and within another: color and white, light and www.TheBigRead.net www.TheBigRead.net www.TheBigRead.net www.TheBigRead.net shadow, in balance. . . . or call 828.304.0500 Ext. 7277 or call 828.304.0500 Ext. 7277 or call 828.304.0500 Ext. 7277 or call 828.304.0500 Ext. 7277 the visual arts for the next several decades. BMC was have been translated into over thirty languages also a response to the rigid educational models that ThE Big REad is a collaboration of hickory ThE Big REad is a collaboration of hickory ThE Big REad is a collaboration of hickory ThE Big REad is a collaboration of hickory Cited from The Arts at Black Mountain Public Library, Catawba County Library, Public Library, Catawba County Library, Public Library, Catawba County Library, Public Library, Catawba County Library, produced passive students spreading across the U.S. at College by Mary Emma Harris and red sash Catawba Valley Community College & Catawba Valley Community College & Catawba Valley Community College & Catawba Valley Community Collegeand & sold over one hundred million copies the beginning of the 20th century. Its vision was one Lenoir-Rhyne University Lenoir-Rhyne University Lenoir-Rhyne University Lenoir-Rhyne University of engaged learning fueled by a conscious attention worldwide. Osborne has published numerous Bookmark for The Little Read 2009. Bookmark for The Big Read 2009. young adult books alongside of her highly acclaimed Magic Tree House series. Some of these include Haunted Waters, Adaline Falling Star, and Run, Run as Fast as You Can. She has not only published children’s books and young PO Box 7222, Hickory, NC, 28601 Hickory, NC 28601 U.S. Postage PAID adult novels, but also numerous biographies, Permit No. 61 Organization Non-Profit www.BlackMountainCollegeCelebration.com folklore, fairytales, and picture books. Praising September 25–27, 2008 the Magic Tree House series, Children’s Literature POETRY + MUSIC + ART + THEATRE + DANCE writes, “Mary Pope Osborne provides nicely paced excitement for young readers, and there’s just Program for The Spirit of Black Mountain College. The AP took note of the enough information mixed in so that children will celebration, bringing the VWS and Lenoir-Rhyne national recognition. take away some historical fact along with a sense of accomplishment at having completed a chapter book.” Julia alvarez RichaRd RodRiguez Sept.17 2009 - 2010 april 16 & 17, 2010 MaRiSha PeSSl oct.9 TeSS gallagheR & Paula Meehan oct.22 JeanneTTe WallS nov.5 Paula Vogel nov.12 MiTchell gold Jan.28 abigail deWiTT Feb.25 2 Julia alVaRez apr.16 0 1 us 0 visitingwriters.lr.edu

Banner for the 2009-2010 season.

Banner for The Little and The BIG Reads 2010. 25 The LiTTLe Read Saturday, March 31, 2012 TheVISITING P. e. Monroe auditorium, Noon WRITERS followed by The Little Read Local Food Festival SERIES { 2011 2012 } LENOIR RHYNE UNIVERSITY- CHAPTER XXII 2010 2011 - Banner for the 2012

Cathy Smith Bowers

John Feinstein     Joan McBreen Love, (a novel) Campus Read.   LavenderRuby

Rhett Iseman Trull A. J. Jacobs by Deborah

    Wiles

Luis Alberto Urrea       John Granger

No toys in the fish tank. 1. 2. Chew with your mouth closed.

3. Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you.

Kevin Young

W. S. Merwin   Amina McIntyre Come hear Deborah Wiles Noon, April 9, 2011     P. E. Monroe Auditorium 1 Lenoir-Rhyne University

David Baldacci     Deborah Wiles an afternoon with Program 2011-2012 cover 2.indd 1 8/25/11 8:28:07 AM Lynne Cherry, author of Rack card for The Little Program for the 2011-2012 season. Read 2011.

Program.indd 1 8/30/10 8:07:59 AM Rack card for The Little Read 2012. a tale of the amazon rain forest AN Program for the 2010-2011 season. AFTERNOON WITH L-R_LittleRead_2012_RackCard.indd 1 2/16/12 1:27:17 PM CYNTHIA LORD AUTHOR OF

RULES the other SATURDAY at NOON, APRIL 13, 2013 P. E. MONROE AUDITORIUM

LENOIR-RHYNE UNIVERSITY

THE LITTLE READ.NET wes moore

one name, two fates Bookmark for The by wes moore Little Read 2013. LRU’s Theatre Rhodes Scholar, youth advocate, Army combat veteran, a former special assistant to the White House, and Program, led by business leader, Wes Moore writes with subtlety and Professor Mia Self, insight about a generation trying to find its way in a hostile world. With all appearances sponsored by adapted Rules for Lenoir-Rhyne University, Wes Moore shares the story of – THe OTHeR WeS MOORe at the following venues. 2012 2013 performances in local elementary schools,

Both evening events are free and open to the public: NICHOLAS SPARKS 9/6 including the Conover School. Mia and THURSdAy, SepT. 15, 11:00 AM Catawba Valley Community her drama students College Multipurpose Complex have been invaluable THURSdAy, SepT. 15, 7:00 pM participants in The Ridgeview Recreation Center next to the Ridgeview Library Little Read adapting An evening with for the stage several FRidAy, SepT. 16, 11:00 AM NICHOLAS CARR 9/27 Hickory High Gymnasium other works for performance during FRidAy, SepT. 16, 7:00 pM SANDRA p. e. Monroe Auditorium, this annual children’s Lenoir-Rhyne University CISNEROS literary event. 10/18 BERNICE L. SANDRA BEASLEY 2/21 Friday, March 2, 2012, 7:00 �� Lipinsky Auditorium MCFADDEN UNC Asheville MARIE HOWE 11/1

VisitingWriters.lr.edu Banner for the 2012–2013 season. A rose is only a LRU Asheville Graduate Center-Cisneros.indd 1 1/18/12 1:31:06 PM Poster for the LRU Freshman Read and other appearances by Wes Moore, who Large postcard (bilingual on reverse) for Sandra Cisneros’s PHILIP SCHULTZ 4/4 rose with “VWS” offered to the community’s youth, both on campus and off, one of the most appearance in Asheville sponsored by the Lenoir-Rhyne University secreted in its petals, CYNTHIA LORD 4/13 inspirational messages in the history of the VWS. Center for Graduate Studies Asheville in collaboration with the 2/7 thorns, and leaves VWS and the University of North Carolina Asheville. JOHN BURNHAM respectively. SCHWARTZ

27 The LRU Gallery of Visiting Writers, portraits by Hickory photographer David Crosby exhibited in the lobby of P. E. Monroe Auditorium.

H I CKORY 

Greater Hickory Kia Classic

A t rn Rock Ba

25th Anniversary graphic theme and program by Nathan W. Moehlmann, Goosepen Studio & Press.

Past co-chair of the VWS, Clem Geitner, ran into Billy Collins in August, in upstate New York, during his performance at Chautauqua. When Collins, who has visited campus twice over the years, learned about the VWS 25th Anniversary, the 2001–2003 U.S. Poet Laureate inscribed a copy of his latest collection of poems in honor of Lenoir-Rhyne and the Series.

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