1111 I '-1\ 11\-11\ ()I \11--1'-11'1'1 LAS'f CHANCE TO~RECEI'VE THE REGIStER - '- Tex says, "Listen up, pardners. We're rwt just whistlin' Dixie here." he Center's director, Charles Reagan Wilson, must reply. A special response card is inserted in this issue for has issued a special appeal to all partners in your convenience. the continuing study of the American South. If you wish, you may continue to receive the newsletter by As the Center works to strengthen its pro- mail. Please verify that your name and address are current. grams for the 21st century, your help is need- Notify the Center if multiple copies have been arriving in your ed with one simple but important task: saving mailbox. You may also cancel your subscription by mail and read this publication. the Register online. You will find it on the Internet at "We mail the Southern Register to more than 30,000 recipients http://www.cssc.olemiss.edu. in the U.S. and abroad," Wilson says. "It's a good way to keep in Along with your correspondence, please consider showing touch, and we certainly would like to keep publishing the your support by making a pledge to the Center's Annual newsletter, but we're concerned about rising costs." Appeal. On the same card you will find information about Words of warning: In an effort to preserve the Southern making a tax-deductible contribution, to help out in a Register, the Center is engaging in more than tough time of tight budgets. talk. Be aware of the consequences. If you do not "We need to shore up our academic programs respond to this query using the enclosed response and bund a broader base for our conferences and card, your name will be removed from the other public activities," Wilson says. "The 'mailing list. American South continues to be a fascinat- "Our mailing list has not been updated in ing laboratory for exploring many issues a while," Wilson says. "We want to make pertinent to the country and other parts sure we're hitting the target, not shooting of the world. Racial and ethnic diversity in the dark. We want to make sure we're or the role of religion in everyday life- reaching people who really have an these are just a couple of examples made interest in Southern culture." prominent when tragic violence in In addition to significant increases Northern Ireland or the excesses of in the price of paper and postage, the Islamic fundamentalism are making Center also must shoulder the cost of the news. newsletters that are returned without "We intend to strengthen the delivery. The Postal Service charges Center's involvement in exploring the Center for the return mailing, and many aspects of the South's cul- the growing number of returns repre- ture, and we want to make those sents an unacceptable drain on current findings widely available," Wilson resources. adds. "But we need new and especially Readers of the Register can help renewed support in order to be alleviate the burden. Please commu- able to succeed." nicate your preferences about Please turn to the enclosed receiving the newsletter. Readers response card and reaffirm your who wish to remain on the mailing list interest in the Center's work. Charles Reagan Wilson, Age 3 Renewal is essential for institu- pare our students to be thoughtful, pro- Published Quarterly by tions as well as individuals. In the tradi- ductive citizens. One of our highest pri- The Center for the Study of Southern Culture tional South, revival was the summer rit- orities during the coming year will be to The University of Mississippi ual for church folks that brought renewal, focus our collective attentions upon the Telephone 601-232-5993 as crops were "laid by" and people's academic program, adding new courses Fax: 601-232·5814 thoughts turned to the spiritual. In the and building on the strengths of existing E·mail: [email protected] modern South, summer is vacation time, classes. Internet: URi http://www.cssc.olemiss.edu bringing renewal through departure from These efforts will profit from new addi- IN THIS ISSUE normal routines. tions to the Center this fall. Michael Sumrn.erIFa1l1998 This summer, the Center has contin- Bertrand is joining the faculty as visiting ued the process of renewal through self- assistant professor of History and 1 LastChance to Receive the Register 2 Director'sColumn examination and looking toward future Southern Studies. The University of 3 NEH Celebration plans. This process has been a part of the Illinois Press will soon be publishing his 4 BrownBagSchedule - Fall 1998 transition that began when Bill Ferris left dissertation, entitled "Southern Youth in 5 HistorySymPQSiumtoExplore to become director of the National Dissent: Rock 'n Roll, Race, and Elvis SoutheasternIndians Endowment for the Humanities last Presley, 1945-1960." Leah Hagedorn, 5 MarkYourCalendars! January and Ann Abadie assumed her who is completing her doctorate in 6 TennesseWilliams Festival stewardship of activities this spring.I American history at the University of 6 DecorativeArts & Preservation began my new role as director of the North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is direct- 7 Center to ReleaseRed TopsCD Center on July 1, after extensive meetings ing a two-year research project on JeWish 7 Previewof Delta] ews with Southern Studies faculty, students, life at the University of Mississippi and, 8 Southern FoodwaysSymposium more broadly, in the state of Mississippi. 8 BarnardObservatoryExhibitions and alumni, Center staff, University 9 McKnight Exhibition administrators, and our State Advisory She will also be teaching a course in the 10 Teaching Faulkner Newsletter Committee. I have been teaching at the spring semester, bringing to bear her 10 BlakeIs 1998FauxFaulkner Winner University since 1981, but these meet- expertise on ethnicity and the South. 10 1999F&Y Call for Papers ings were an in-depth education for me Research is integral to the Center's 11 Faulkner in America: Summer 1998 in the workings of the Center. They were academic program, as faculty and stu- 12 Southern BooksellerABA President especially valuable in giving everyone dents collect information, analyze it, and 13 Reading the South: Reviews& Notes associated with the Center a forum to write about the South. Southern Studies 16 1998EudoraWeltyAwards share concerns on its future directions. faculty with joint appointments in histo- 16 McKee'sEnglish676 We all agreed, it seems, that academics ry, literature, anthropology, and art are 16 New Arrival provides the solid foundation for the especially vital to the Center's mission, 17 ProfessorAirs Sounds of Africa Center's work. The Southern Studies but so are the other faculty on campus 17 Southern Studies Graduates bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees who teach courses on the South as part of 18 In Memoriam:Joanne Varner Hawks provide students training in multidisci- our extended curriculum. Their efforts 19 EugeneWalters plinary course work that prepares them in documenting the region's culture are 19 WalkerPercyProject 19 Kentucke MakesDebut for work in cultural institutions such as creating a notable body of scholarship 20 GeorgeWashington Bicentennial museums, art galleries, historical that will be the Center's great legacy to 20 Call for Proposals:Country Music archives, research centers, and newspa- future efforts to study the South. 20 Notes on Contributors pers and magazines that cover the South. Center staff members are also integral 21 Regional Roundup The degrees give students the research, parts of the educational mission. Living writing, and verbal skills to work in the Blues magazine connects with people REGISTER STAFF booming businesses of the South or to around the world who now look to the take on advanced graduate training in University as an important source of Editor: Ann]. Abadie the liberal arts or the law. The Southern information about one of the South's Contributing Writer: Lynn McKnight Studies curriculum touches many people most significant art forms. The magazine Editorial Assistant: Anne Evans at the University, from our students who is filled with interviews and other docu- Publications Manager: Mickey McLaurin major in it to the countless students who mentation that provide a unique Graphic Designer: Bea Jackson take the courses as part of their overall resource for scholars as well as providing Mailing List Manager: Ananda Bollu education. The academic program brings information and entertainment for its Lithographer: Metroweb hundreds of students to the Center's readers. Similarly, the Center's Southern activities each year. Media Archive has quietly accumulated The University complies with all applicable laws regarding affinnative action and equal opP'brtunity in all its activities The Southern Studies faculty has a magnificent collection of photographs, and does nOt discriminate against anyone protected by law exciting ideas about additions to and videos, and distinctive home movies because of age, creed, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, handicap, veteran or other status. revisions of the curriculum to better pre- that document the South's visual tradi- Page 2 Summer/Fall 1998 The Southern Register tions of the 20th century and reach out ways they can connect with our primary the meeting, which was a reflective occa- to a wide audience. mission of academics. sion held at the First Baptist Church in Other Center activities bridge the I was involved this summer with sever- Mound Bayou, founded as an all-black gap between the University and the al events that represent something of the community in the 19th century. broader public, which has surely been a Center's continuing role in supporting Late July saw the Center hosting the major objective of this institution in its the study of Southern culture. In May, 25th annual Faulkner and Yoknapataw- two-decade history.