Posted on Friday, March 18, 2022
Boston is celebrated as America’s “cradle of liberty,” but the historic Massachusetts seaport is also the birthplace of American literature.
That will be a theme of Dr. Anthony Wilson’s closing lecture for this year’s 3D Journeys travel and lecture series, which is focusing on Boston.
“From 1815 to 1865, Boston was the unchallenged intellectual mecca of the country,” said Dr. Wilson, Associate Professor and head of the Department of English at LaGrange College.
There’s an old joke, Dr. Wilson said, that if you shoot a gun in Boston, you’ll hit a writer.
With a wealth of literary legends to choose from, including Thoreau, Alcott, Emerson, Hawthorne, Longfellow, James and Frost, Dr. Wilson will present “A Tonic of Wildness: Boston Writers on City and Country,” at 10 a.m. on March 28 at Callaway Auditorium.
His lecture title reflects authors’ ideas of the “regenerative power of nature,” he said, but also the fascinating juxtaposition of writers who were chiefly intellectual and those who favored learning from nature, rather than books.
Dr. Wilson joined the LC faculty in 2004, after completing his master’s and doctoral degrees in English at Vanderbilt University. His wife, Jeanette Wilson, is a first-grade teacher at Ethel Kight Elementary School, and they have a son, Lucas, 16, a student and soccer player at LaGrange High.
His choice of an academic career, he said, came naturally. Both his parents were English professors. His growing up years were spent in Louisiana, where his father, the late Dr. James Wilson, and mother, Dr. Mary Ann Wilson, now retired and living in LaGrange, taught at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette.
“From about the age of 8, I don’t remember seriously entertaining anything else,” he said.
A fascination with books and literature was part of it, but he also feels college teaching is “a good life,” blending stimulating work with ample quality time for family. His boyhood featured lots of quality time with his parents and many travel adventures. He attended kindergarten in Italy, for example, while his father was a Fulbright Professor, teaching American Literature to graduate students at the University of Milan. He and his family later returned to Italy with his mother, whose grandparents were from Sicily and who sought opportunities to experience her “roots,” including teaching in Florence.
The younger Dr. Wilson’s academic career has had adventures of its own, including becoming an expert on swamps. He’s written two books focusing on the role of swamps in American culture and literature. There’s even a strong swamp connection to Boston, he said. Thoreau regularly sought intellectual “nourishment” in the swamps around Walden Pond, referring to them in essays as “his temple” and “sacred place.”
A recipient of the college’s prestigious Vulcan Teaching Award, Dr. Wilson said his love of teaching takes two forms. He enjoys the “performance aspect,” aiming to use short lectures to stimulate classroom discussion, and he relishes the satisfying experience of helping students grow, learn and succeed.
Dr. Wilson is making his third appearance at the 3D Journeys lecture series. He spoke on Georgia literature at the first series, which focused on Coastal Georgia, and later lectured on Flannery O’Connor, leading up to a 3D-sponsored trip to Andalusia, the celebrated author’s home in Milledgeville.
The professor believes community outreach, like the 3D Journeys series, is “essential” to the college’s mission. Now in its 12th year, 3D provides free lectures and optional travel to “lifelong learners” from across the area.
“Ideally, the college is a cultural center of the town,” Dr. Wilson said. “It’s important to engage people in the community who want to continue to learn.
Dr. Lauranne Buchanan, who co-chairs the 3D committee with Kay Durand, said Dr. Wilson’s engaging speaking style and depth of knowledge make him an ideal choice for the upcoming lecture.
“We are truly looking forward to this presentation and encourage anyone with an interest in Boston, literature or just a stimulating morning to join us March 28.”
Philanthropy Celebration Week kicks off on Saturday with a car wash from 10 a.m. to noon at Mike Patton Auto, 1406 Lafayette Parkway. All donations will benefit the Class of 2022 Senior Giveback Campaign.
Caswell Plaza activities for students during Philanthropy Celebration Week include relaxing with dogs from the LaGrange Troup County Humane Society on Monday and throwing pies at some faculty and staff members on Wednesday. Students can go to Smith Hall to hear Joe Montgomery M’19 present “Seven Faces of Philanthropy” on Thursday at 11:15 a.m. in rooms 307-308.
LaGrange College’s Development Office will have two local restaurants hosting spirit nights as part of Philanthropy Celebration Week. Stop by Beacon Brewing, 700 Lincoln Street, on Tuesday between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Chicken Salad Chick, 1509 Lafayette Parkway, on Thursday between 4 and 8 p.m. Ten percent of all sales during those times will be donated to the LaGrange College Fund. Students will have opportunities to earn cultural enrichment credits at the events on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Service Saturday will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participants will work with the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper on a stream restoration project at Park Creek. Register here.
“Pump Boys and Dinettes” will be running through March 20 at Price Theater. Tickets are available by emailing priceboxoffice@kongtiao11.com. Adult tickets are $10, and children are $5. Faculty, staff and students are free.
Nine LC voice singers from the studios of Dr. Toni Anderson, Coordinator of Music and Dr. Andrea Jarmon, Voice Instructor competed in the 2022 Southeastern Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing student auditions held at Florida State University on March 10-11. The singers were accompanied by Ken Passmore. Students who are named finalists are eligible to enter the 2022 National NATS student auditions. Six LC singers were named finalists and two won first place in their categories. The singers include Emily Grace Childs, finalist in the First Year College Women (Musical Theatre) category; Erika Hill, first place winner and finalist in the Second Year College Women (Musical Theatre) category; Stevie Nix, first place winner and finalist in the Third Year College Women (Musical Theatre) category; Erielle Robinson, finalist in the Third Year College Women (Musical Theatre) category; Lauren Hicks, finalist in the Fourth Year College Women (Musical Theatre) category; Jared McGregor, finalist in the Third Year College Men (Musical Theatre) category; and Emily Grace Childs, semifinalist in the First Year College Women (Classical) category.
Strengthen your leadership skills with LC First Gentleman Mark Huffman (spouse of President Susanna Baxter) as he leads a virtual book discussion of Brené Brown’s book “Dare to Lead” on Wednesday, April 6. Become a brave leader through her philosophy of “wholehearted” living and leadership. Register to receive details and login information.
Congratulations to this semester’s graduating seniors who have registered to ring the Chapel Bell to celebrate their accomplishments. The list includes Kenzi Elliston (Nursing), offered a full-time job as a registered nurse in the labor and delivery unit at WellStar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange; Emily Vines (Nursing), offered a full-time job as a registered nurse in the emergency department at WellStar West Georgia Medical Center; Samantha Scott (Nursing), offered a full-time job as a registered nurse at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama; Vanessa Holt (Nursing), offered a full-time job as a registered nurse in the emergency department at Piedmont Hospital; Brooke Spencer (Nursing), offered a full-time job as a registered nurse in the emergency department at Piedmont Newnan Hospital; Mindy Barnett (Nursing), offered a full-time job as a registered nurse in the postpartum department at Piedmont Newnan Hospital; Brianna Williams (Nursing), offered a full-time job as a registered nurse in the emergency department at Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, Georgia; Nia Johnson (Political Science), accepted to graduate school at American University and George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; and Mason McLaughlin (Political Science), accepted to graduate school at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Participants are invited to take photos and post them to social media with the hashtag #LCSoundofSuccess.
Dr. John Tures, Professor of Political Science, was interviewed this week for the Washington Times article “House Democrats go on offense against vulnerable Republicans with liberal challengers” on March 14. This is his contribution:
John Tures, a political science professor at LaGrange College, said Democrats historically have found success when they run defensive campaigns.
“If I’m the Democrats, I look optimistic at the people who are [on this list], at their resumes, and what they bring to the table,” Mr. Tures said. “It’ll all come down to whether they can hold a positive message and not run against Republicans.”
Mr. Tures also noted that in 2020, all 14 Republicans who were considered vulnerable in toss-up seats, were able to win their elections.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions.
Through Monday
Panthers Protecting Children
Through Friday
Young Alumni Lecture: Darius Jordan ’17
Tuesday
Movie: Silent Sacrifice – Stories of Japanese-American Incarceration (part two)
11:30 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library
Thursday
Moot Court Debate
11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library
Virtual Lecture: Sam Mihara, American interned at Heart Mountain
11:30 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library
Men’s Lacrosse
The Panthers (3-4) rolled past Point 29-5 on Wednesday night at Panther Field for their second straight win. Selassie Richardson had five goals to lead LC. Aidan Story was selected as the USA South Men’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Week for the week ending March 13.
Baseball
The Panthers (14-1) moved up to No. 12 in the D3baseball.com/NCBWA Top 25 poll after sweeping N.C. Wesleyan 12-9 and 2-1 on the road last Sunday. Gabriel Pallo and McKinley Erves each had a home run in the doubleheader. Nate Darwin had the go-ahead hit in the ninth inning of the second game.
Beach Volleyball
The Panthers played four matches at the Strack Beach Volleyball Courts last Friday and Saturday as part of the LaQuinta Inn Invitational.
Calendar
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday-Sunday, March 18-20 - Golf at Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational, Jekyll Island, Ga.
Saturday, March 19 - Softball vs Meredith, 12/2 p.m., LC Softball Complex
Saturday, March 19 - Men’s Lacrosse at Southern Virginia, 1 p.m., Buena Vista, Va.
Saturday, March 19 - Baseball vs Berea, 2/5 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium
Sunday, March 20 - Baseball vs Berea, 2/5 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium
Monday, March 21 - Men’s Tennis at Tuskegee Institute, 2 p.m., Tuskegee, Ala.
Tuesday, March 22 - Softball vs Hendrix, 4/6 p.m., LC Softball Complex
Wednesday, March 23 - Men’s and Women’s Tennis vs Piedmont, 3:30 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Wednesday, March 23 - Baseball at Birmingham-Southern, 7 p.m., Birmingham, Ala.
Wednesday, March 23 - Men’s Lacrosse at Huntingdon, 8 p.m., Montgomery, Ala.
In the headlines
LaGrange College Men’s Lacrosse rolls past Point University - LaGrange Daily News, March 17
LaGrange College Baseball rallies twice in late innings to sweep NC Wesleyan - LaGrange Daily News, March 14
Category: Global engagement, College
Keywords: 3D Journeys, travel, Boston, theatre, service
