Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2021
Dr. Joe Cafaro got his first knowledge of Vietnam the same way most Americans did in the 1960s — from the evening news.
“As I was growing up, the first 15 minutes of the nightly news was always about the U.S. war in Vietnam. I grew up with it,” said Dr. Cafaro, a noted historian and retired Professor of History at LaGrange College.
That boyhood experience, plus his passion for history, sparked a personal interest in Vietnam that eventually led to a much deeper understanding.
“By the time the U.S. got involved, Vietnam had been being invaded for more than 1,000 years,” Dr. Cafaro said.
He will share a broad overview of that history, plus little-known information on “missed opportunities” following World War II, as speaker for the third lecture of this year’s 3D Journeys series focused on the Far East. Titled “Vietnam: A Historical Legacy of Invasions and Resistance,” the free lecture will be presented virtually, via Zoom, at 10 a.m. March 22. President Susanna Baxter will open the session and Dr. Cafaro will be available for live questions and answers following the lecture.
In addition to his academic preparation, Dr. Cafaro will draw on a memorable 2015 study-away trip in which he led students to experience Vietnam, including stops in Hanoi, the Mekong River area and Ho Chi Minh City which “everybody in Vietnam still calls Saigon,” he said. 
The professor and some of the students crawled into a section of the elaborate web of tunnels used by the Viet Cong to escape pursuit and mount surprise attacks. He still marvels at the bravery of the young American and Vietnamese soldiers, known as “tunnel rats,” who descended into the unmapped tunnels to detect enemy troop presence.
“They were often on their hands and knees, didn’t know what they would find, including booby traps,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine how brave they had to be.”
Despite Vietnam’s troubled and often grim history, Dr. Cafaro said they found an exceptionally beautiful country with “amazing food and people as friendly as could be.” Though Vietnam is officially a Communist nation, the LC visitors observed “wild west capitalism” and a dynamic young population.
Dr. Cafaro is a favorite speaker of longtime 3D Journey audiences, but has not given a formal lecture since retiring in 2017 after 33 years on the LC faculty.
“I hope to knock the rust off,” he said with a smile.
He has continued a relationship with the college as leader of a travel opportunity dubbed Panther Treks offered through the LC office of Alumni and Community Relations. Patterned after the college’s study-away programs for students, Panther Treks offer affordable travel abroad with weekend departures and returns so working travelers need to take just one week off.
Dr. Cafaro hopes the Panther Treks, now suspended due to the pandemic, can resume next year.
The Vietnam lecture will conclude the 11th season of 3D Journeys, which offers free lectures to anyone wanting to “discover, discuss and develop” through armchair travel and optional travel to the sites studied. The programs typically last under one hour.
Ann Beason, who chairs the 3D committee with Nancy Durand, said the group has been pleased the series could continue thanks to the extraordinary efforts of college staff to arrange the Zoom programs.
“We have been pleased with the community’s positive response to the Zoom format and encourage anyone with an interest in learning to register for what promises to be an outstanding presentation by Joe Cafaro,” Beason said
To sign up, use this link or call 706-880-8244 or email 3DJourneys@kongtiao11.com. Information on how to access the Zoom lecture will be emailed to all who register.
Congratulations to these graduating seniors who rang the Chapel Bell this week to celebrate their accomplishments. They were Carissa Lee (Nursing), offered a full-time job as a registered nurse in the neuro unit at Piedmont Hospital in Athens, Georgia; and Kailey Griffith (Nursing), offered a full-time job as a registered nurse at Emory Decatur Hospital in Atlanta. Seniors are encouraged to visit to sign up. Instructions for how to ring the bell will be sent upon registration. Participants are invited to take photos and post them to social media with the hashtag #LCSoundofSuccess.
The 2021 West Georgia Regional Contest of National History Day was held virtually last month, and several students and faculty members served as judges. Student volunteers included Jessica Breeding (Biochemistry), Andrew Cunningham (Political Science), Natalie Glass (Political Science), Austin Harper (History), Ben Hays (History), Malachi Parker (History), Abbey Reese (History), Emily Rice (Education Studies), Anna Robinson (Art) and Len Spivey (History). LaGrange College and Georgia Humanities are co-sponsors of National History Day Georgia.
The Chapel remains open for prayer and reflection on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. when classes are in session.
The Writing Center and Tutoring Center are open for virtual sessions. For info about Writing, contact Dr. Justin Thurman at jthurman@kongtiao11.com, and Dr. Stacey Ernstberger for Tutoring at sernstberger@kongtiao11.com.
Don’t forget to “spring forward” one hour Saturday night for Daylight Saving Time.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions. For in-person events, all COVID guidelines apply.
Through March 31
Career Exploration and Spirituality
Join the Rev. Dr. Adam Roberts for a discussion on the role of spirituality in deciding on a career.
Through Sunday
Local Professional Interview Series – Anabeth Ivey (Marketing)
Ivey is marketing and sales specialist with New Ventures.
Young Alumni Interview Series – Dale Giefing ’19 (Religion)
Giefing is a student at Emory University Candler School of Theology. He also serves as pastor-in-charge at both Roopville and Caney Head United Methodist churches in Roopville, Georgia.
Through March 20
Sustainability Council Movie Night
The film, “Cell-based and Plant-based Technologies,” looks at innovations that could revolutionize modern food production and consumption systems.
Monday-March 21
Local Professional Interview Series – Sherri Brown and Holly Roberts (Nonprofit Leadership)
Brown and Roberts lead Circles of Troup County, a nonprofit that works to identify and eliminate causes of poverty and support those wishing to lift themselves out of poverty.
Young Alumni Interview Series – Anna Andrews (Education)
Andrews will discuss her time at LC as an Education major and how that experience prepared her for her current career path.
Through March 21
Networking and Job Search Strategies
Gain a foundational understanding of successful networking and job search strategies that are key to a successful career.
Golf
The Panthers finished fourth at the Savannah Invitational to open their spring schedule. Senior Cameron Starr was second in the individual standings, setting several personal and program bests, including a career-best round of 65. Starr was selected USA South Golf Player of the Week.
Volleyball
The Panthers opened their 2021 season by splitting two matches by 3-1 scores with Berea last Sunday at Mariotti Gym. Junior McKenzie Richards had career bests of 18 kills and 18 digs, while sophomore Bre Dufault had a match-high 30 digs. Richards was named the USA South Volleyball Player of the Week and Dufault the Defensive Player of the Week.
Baseball
Huntingdon edged the Panthers (5-3) 5-4 on Wednesday. McKinley Erves hit a home run and E.J. Churchich had a run-scoring triple for LC.
Men’s Soccer
The Panthers (1-2) lost 3-2 in overtime to visiting Maryville last Sunday. Sophomore Blake Webb scored both goals for the Panthers.
Women’s Soccer
The Panthers (1-4) fell 1-0 in overtime to Huntingdon at Panther Field on Wednesday. Goalkeeper Maurie White had 12 saves in the game for LC.
Softball
The Panthers (1-1) opened their 2021 season by splitting a non-conference doubleheader at Judson on Wednesday. LC won the first game 8-1, before losing 10-9 in eight innings in the second game.
CALENDAR
Saturday
Softball vs. Agnes Scott, doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., LC Softball Complex
Men’s and Women’s Tennis at Berea, noon
Sunday
Volleyball vs. Piedmont, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Men’s Soccer at Brevard, 5 p.m.
Wednesday
Volleyball at Wesleyan, 7 p.m.
Men’s Lacrosse at Huntingdon, 8 p.m.
Friday
Golf at Jekyll Island Invitational
For the final 3D Journeys lecture of 2020-2021, former History professor Dr. Joe Cafaro will take viewers on a virtual exploration of "Vietnam: A Historical Legacy of Invasions and Resistance."
No link available
Goalie shines for Panthers – LaGrange Daily News, March 11, 2021
Category: Global engagement, Arts and Culture, Community, Events
Keywords: 3D Journeys Vietnam Cafaro
