Ferris Takes on Nation's Humanities Work . .... ~:A. he Center director for 18 years, Bill appointment express the confidence we University of Mississippi for six years: "I ~ Ferris, has moved to Washington, D.C., have in his ability to meet the chal- think he' llliven up the place. It's going to serve as chairman of the National lenges ahead. to be very hard to criticize Ferris as Endowment for the Humanities. He U niversity of Mississippi Chancellor spending taxpayer money on programs will be dearly missed, yet faculty, staff, Robert C. Khayat: "Bill Ferris has not very few Americans can relate to. I'll bet and students at the Center are excited only garnered the level of serious academ- he's going to think up ways to make the that he has been given the opportunity ic study our region deserves but also has humanities much more accessible to a to lead the nation's foremost guiding enhanced the public's understanding and broader population." institution in the humanities. As witness respect for it. With his creative talents and Sheldon Hackney, former chairman of his creative vision and exemplary vision, Bill will do the same for the of NEH, whom Bill is succeeding: "The efforts as director of the Center, we National Endowment for the Humanities. critical thing about him is that he oper- realize that the National Endowment We are proud to have one of our scholars ates on a whole range of American cul- for the Humanities is about to experi- appointed to this important post and know ture. He's-and 1 don't mean this pejo- ence successful years under his tenure. Bill will bring even more positive atten- ratively-an academic entrepreneur." The following quotes gleaned from tion to our region and state." Jamil S. Zainaldin, president of the press articles surrounding Ferris's Charles Reagan Wilson, professor of Federation of State Humanities Councils: History and Southern Studies, "He has the traditional certification of an University of Mississippi: "Bill academic scholar and is well entrenched will energize the nation behind in higher education. But he's also worked a broad-based vision of the extensively with state and local humani- humanities. He is a superb com- ties councils, and his programs at the municator who can explain the Center for the Study of Southern Culture importance of the humanities to are all about the public dissemination of a diverse range of Americans." the humanities." Tom Rankin, associate profes- U ni versity of Mississippi history sor of Art and Southern Studies, professor Michael E. Landon: "If any- University of Mississippi: "Bill body can, he will be able to increase is a natural. There is no better funding for the agency from both public person out there to lead the and private sources." NEH. He will be a great Ferris's mother, Shelby Ferris, of spokesperson for the humani- Vicksburg, Mississippi: "I think he'll ties at all levels." do his best. 1 know it's the top position James C. Cobb, history pro- in the humanities to which anyone fessor at the University of could aspire." Georgia, who team taught a Allison Vise Finch course with Ferris at the William R. Ferris, founding director of the Center, was nominated by President Bill Clinton as chairman the National Endowment for the Humanities. His nomination was unanimously approved by a Senate committee comprised of Democrats and Republicans. • , D 1 r e c t o r s c o 1 urn n Published Quarterly by hange is never easy, and it is with both sadness and excitement that I take a The Center for the Study of Southern Culture leave of absence from the University of Mississippi and the Center for the The University of Mississippi Study of Southern Culture during my tenure as chairman of the National Telephone 601-232-5993 C Fax: 601-232-5814 Endowment for the Humanities. I moved to Oxford during the summer of 1979, E-mail: [email protected] and the years since have passed ever so quickly. During that time I have been Internet: URL http://www.cssc.olemiss.edu blessed to work with the very finest faculty, staff, and students at the Center, and with University administrators who have understood the vision of our work and IN THIS ISSUE given it their full commitment. Three chancellors-Porter Fortune, Gerald Turner, Winter 1998 and Robert Khayat-strongly supported the Center's initiatives. Provost Gerald Ferris Takes on Nation's Walton, Dean of Liberal Arts Dale Abadie, Dean of Graduate Studies Michael Humanities Work Dingerson, and Director of the University Foundation Don Fruge provided critical leadership in building our academic programs. Other administrators no longer at 2 Director's Column the University-Arthur DeRosier, Ray Hoops, Harvey Lewis, Morris Marx, Chuck 3 Fifth Oxford Conference for the Noyes,Joe Sam, and Wally Guess-also helped build Center programs. Book Outside University walls the Center's devoted State Advisory Committee linked 4 President's Initiative on Race our efforts with their communities throughout the state and beyond. Committee 5 Spring 1998 FoodwaysSymposium members continue to provide funding and program initiatives that broaden our work in important ways. 5 Wilson Wins Humanities Award We began with a dream, and now we enjoy the reality of an institution that 6 Lucille &Motee Daniels Award touches lives throughout the world. Our programs evolved over the years and are a 6 CAH DisplaysNatchez Photographs testament to the commitment of those who built and sustained them. The Center's Southern Studies B.A. and M.A. degree programs, our 6 1998 Tennessee Williams Festival Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, the renovation of Barnard Observatory, the establishment of the 7 Southern Studies Teacher Institute University's Blues Archive, our conferences on William Faulkner, civil rights, 7 "Southerners in New York" Southern history, Elvis Presley, and the book, and our publications Crossroads, 7 Henson's Muppets on Book Poster Living Blues, MississiPPi Folklife, and the Southern Register are but a few of the many milestones that have marked our journey. 8 Faulkner Celebration in Russia As I reflect on the Center's history, I am reminded of the central role that the 9 1998 F&Y: Faulkner in America National Endowment for the Humanities has played in our ability to establish these 10 1998 Natchez Literary Celebration programs on the American South. Our undergraduate curriculum, the Encyclopedia, and the renovation of Barnard Observatory are among the many projects for which 10 Memorial Gifts the Endowment provided generous support. Without their help the Center could 10 Call for Papers: Automobile not have moved so quickly to establish its programs. So I feel as if I am moving from Tourism one family of kindred spirits to another. I leave my beautiful office in Barnard 11 Reading the South: Reviews & Observatory for another in the Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue.Both are Notes located in restored buildings that dramatically symbolize the commitment to 15 Lee Smith Talks about Writing preservation shared by both the Center and the Endowment. Recently I was surprised to see a beautiful red-tailed hawk soar past my office 17 Southern Studies 401 Seminar above Pennsylvania Avenue and light on a nearby building. It reminded me of the 17 Notes on Contributors many red-tailed hawks that perch along roadsides in Mississippi during the winter. I 18 In Memoriam: Evans Harrington felt the noble bird's flight was a sign that my work in Washington will be blessed 19 Regional Roundup with friends-both feathered and human-who will travel with me on the roads ahead. I cannot find words to fully express my gratitude to the many friends REGISTER STAFF throughout the nation who have written and called on my behalf over the past months.Your generous support means so much, and I will work to fulfill the confi- Editor: Ann J. Abadie dence you,have shown in me. Editorial Assistant: Allison ViseFinch I leave the Center knowing that it is in the very best of hands with outstanding Publications Manager: MickeyMcLaurin faculty and staff who over the years have developed the Center's programs with an Graphic Designer: Susan BauerLee unfailing commitment to excellence. Both Marcie and I appreciate all the love and Mailing List Manager: Raj Betapudi support we have received from our friends in Oxford and other places. We look for- Lithographer: Metroweb ward to keeping in touch with each of you and hope you will visit us in Washington. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding affirmative action and equal opportu- William Ferris nity in all its activities and does not discriminate against anyone protected by law because of age, creed, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, handicap, veteran or other status. Page 2 Winter 1998 The Southern Register Fifth Oxford Conference for the Book to Be Held March 13~15 ince its inauguration in April 1993 , ry at Rutgers University, is the author of the Oxford Conference for the The Natures of John and William Bartram SBook has celebrated books, writ- and editor of William Bartram:Travels and ing, and reading and has also dealt with Other Writings. practical conc~rns on which the literary n addition to reading from his work, arts depend, including literacy, freedom Ambrose will be on the panel "Wieners of expression, and the book trade itself. and Rebels: Writing from the Trenches The 1998 conference, the fifth in the of Southern Culture."Other panelists for series, is set for March 13-15, 1998. The this session will be historian Jerry E. program will consist of readings, lectures, Strahan and journalist Tony Horwitz.