Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2022
After 11 years of seeing the world through lectures and travel, the 2022 LaGrange College 3D Journeys program is heading back to the beginning. The nation’s beginning, that is.
Focusing on the vibrant and historic city of Boston, the 12th annual 3D series opens Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. with a lecture about the birthplace of the nation.
Dr. Richard Soash, Assistant Professor of History, will take listeners to Faneuil Hall, the storied Boston landmark nicknamed the “Cradle of Liberty” for its role as a central gathering spot for patriots and protests leading up to the American Revolution.
Built in 1742, Faneuil Hall was the scene of passionate speeches by patriot orators like Sam Adams, and the hall was regularly packed with throngs protesting the Stamp Act and Sugar Act, plotting the famous “tea party” and airing other grievances against British rule.
Faneuil Hall’s significance didn’t end when independence was secured, Dr. Soash said.
“It has remained an increasingly important site over the centuries,” he said, noting that Faneuil Hall has been the “cradle” for many other liberty-seekers, including Susan B. Anthony during the fight for women’s suffrage.
The professor’s personal experience with Faneuil Hall dates to his days as a graduate student at Florida State University, where he earned his master’s degree, then stayed on to complete his Ph.D. in 2018.
“I visited Faneuil Hall during a research trip to Boston in grad school,” he said. Photos from that trip will illustrate Soash’s talk which, in a sense, will serve as his introduction to the broader LaGrange community.
He joined the LC faculty in 2019, just six months before the pandemic led to virtual teaching and shut down most avenues for getting acquainted with his new home. He credits the college community with making him feel welcome and is “very grateful” for the opportunity to work in the two-professor History Department with veteran professor Dr. Kevin Shirley, whom he values as a mentor.
“One of the advantages of being part of such a small unit is that at this early stage of my career, I can make a significant impact on my department and even help shape the future of our program,” Dr. Soash said.
Noting that he and Dr. Shirley “take a lot of pride in their majors and minors,” Dr. Soash has developed new courses to offer variety to students as they continue to study with the same professors year to year. In addition to a core course in Georgia history and a Jan Term course on History of Medicine, taken primarily by nursing majors, he’s taught History of the Wild West and Sports in American History, among others.
While teaching during the pandemic was a challenge, Dr. Soash feels the experience had a positive impact on his teaching style. He’s adopted a “flipped model” in which he records lectures for students to view ahead of class, then uses in-person time for discussion and interactive activities. He frequently opens class with a bit of music, something relevant to the period or topic.
He likes that the small classes at LaGrange College offer opportunities for one-on-one contacts with students, especially guiding them in researching and crafting strong essays.
Now that some pandemic-related restrictions have eased, he’s meeting more young professionals, participating in local team trivia competitions and looking for additional ways to connect with the community.
In addition to Dr. Soash’s presentation, the Jan. 24 session will feature Steve Hart, president of Hart Travel Partners and a resident of Boston, who will give details of an optional trip to Boston and environs, planned in early June. LaGrange College President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman will lead the trip.
Future lectures in the Boston series are set for Feb. 28, when Dr. Greg McClanahan, Professor of Math and baseball aficionado, will lead “Triple Play: Mathematics, Baseball and Board Games,” and March 28, when English Professor Dr. Anthony Wilson will speak on “The Tonic of Wildness: Boston Writers on City and Country.”
After being held via Zoom last year, the 2022 lectures will be held in person, but at a new location, the Callaway Auditorium, 801 Dallis St., to allow for social distancing. Masks are requested indoors, and CDC guidelines will be followed.
As always, lectures are free and open to anyone with an interest in learning.
“What better way to begin 3D Journeys lectures and travel than by rediscovering the exciting city of Boston,” said Kay Durand, who co-chairs the 3D committee with Dr. Lauranne Buchanan. “Dr. Soash promises to inspire and entertain as he brings history alive for our 3D Journeys audience.”
The Black Male Initiative and Circle K Club have organized the Kiwanis Club annual Coats for Kids Drive on campus. They have placed boxes on the main floor of Smith Hall and in the foyer of Lewis Library for donations of used (or new) coats. Other items of clothing also are accepted. The items are cleaned by Ideal Cleaners and then delivered to the local Clothing Center. The drive continues until Jan. 21.
The 1982-83 GICA Men’s Basketball Championship Team will be honored during halftime of the men’s basketball game Tuesday against Piedmont. Game will be at 7 p.m.
Nominations are being taken for alumni awards to be presented during Homecoming 2022, Oct. 7-9. Deadline for submissions is March 20. The Shackelford Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award is given to alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally and brought honor to the college. The award is named for Walter Malcolm Shackelford, a former professor of education (1958-1972) and academic dean of the college (1972-1982). The Outstanding Young Alumni Award goes to someone who graduated from LaGrange College within the past 10 years and who has been distinguished in his or her career and community, and has brought honor to the college. For more information or to make a recommendation, contact Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, at mpirkle@kongtiao11.com or by calling 706-880-8245.
Felecia Moore, Archives Specialist for Suber Archives and Special Collections at Lewis Library, presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Society of Georgia Archivists.
The college will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Men’s Lacrosse
The Panthers begin practice for the upcoming 2022 schedule Monday, Jan. 17. The season opener is Feb. 5 at Birmingham-Southern.
The LaGrange College Percussion Ensemble, conducted by Ken Passmore, and the LaGrange College Singers under the direction of Dr. Toni Anderson joined forces to create “The Journey,” a concert recorded in November at Callaway Auditorium.
No link available
Mayor and City Council sworn in; Sue Olson appointed to LaGrange Troup County Memorial Park Board – LaGrange Daily News, Jan. 12, 2022
Note: Jim Thornton ’94 has begun his third term as mayor of LaGrange.
Category: College, Faculty, Students, Arts and Culture, Community, Global engagement, Events, Academics
Keywords: Boston 3D Journeys Faneuil Hall
