Sep 25, 2013

American Heritage Series Set For October

All Lectures Free and Open to the Public

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Sept. 23, 2013) - - - Columbia State Community College's history department has announced "Celebrating Our American Heritage XXVII." The month-long event is an annual series of presentations that are designed to illuminate the past and enhance our understanding of the present.

On Oct. 3, the series kicks off with "Gettysburg." William X. Andrews, retired professor of history at Columbia State and a long-time Civil War re-enactor, will explore the ways in which the pivotal battle of Gettysburg has been remembered over the years, from President Lincoln's famous address up to the recent 150th anniversary reenactment.

Second in the series is "We Shall Overcome: Songs of the Civil Rights Movement," taking place Oct. 17. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, Jan de la Mer, assistant professor of history, and Greg Mewbourn, instructor of history, will examine the music which inspired, and was inspired by, the Civil Rights Movement. Sometimes uplifting, and at times heartbreaking, these songs reflect the spirit and determination of a movement that profoundly reshaped the nation.

James Senefeld, professor of English, and Barry Gidcomb, professor of history, present, "Famous Last Words and Final Acts" Oct. 24. From The Great Triumvirate of Calhoun, Webster and Clay to the presidents who shared the name Roosevelt, Americans have always been fascinated with the last acts in the long careers of some of our greatest statesmen. Senefeld and Gidcomb will describe some of the more memorable last days, curtain calls and death bed scenes in American history.

On Oct. 31, Senefeld, de la Mer, Gidcomb and Mewbourn close the series with "Haunted History." Historical tales of things that go bump in the night and real life body snatchers will highlight the first-ever Halloween edition of the American Heritage series.

All of the lectures are free and open to the public and will take place from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the Ledbetter Auditorium, located in the Frank G. Clement building on the Columbia campus.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu.