Professor to discuss Portugal’s influence on maritime exploration

Posted on Friday, January 19, 2024

If you described Dr. Joe Cafaro as an adventurer like Indiana Jones, he would take that as a compliment.

“History never gets old for me,” he said. “There is always something exciting and new.”

Like the fictional explorer, the retired History professor loves learning historic stories, especially that of Portugal, the focus of 3D Journeys’ 14^th season.

The lecture and travel series will feature presentations from Religion Professor John Cook and Business Professor Linda McMullen on Feb. 26 and March 11, respectively. An optional March trip to Portugal will be hosted by President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman.

“We anticipate an exciting ‘Explore Portugal’ series as these three speakers share their observations and insights into the history, religion and business world of Portugal,” said Ann Beason, who co-chairs the 3D volunteer committee with Lauranne Buchanan.

Dr. Cafaro will give the opening lecture “Portugal and the Age of Discovery” on Monday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m., in the Dickson Assembly Room at Turner Hall.

“I will discuss how the small nation took the world by storm in the 15th century and proved that size doesn’t matter when it built the first seaborne global trading network,” he said. “One of the significant results is that it laid the foundation for the global trading system as we know it.”

Dr. Cafaro said Portuguese figures who played a significant role during this period include Prince Henry the Navigator, Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, Pedro Cabral, and Alphonse de Albuquerque.

“Pedro Cabral was the first human in recorded history who stepped foot on four continents: Europe, South America, Africa and Asia,” he said.

Dr. Cafaro’s fascination with history started as a child and continued to grow as he furthered his education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Florida Atlantic University, and a master’s degree and doctorate in modern European studies with a concentration in Russian history from Florida State University.

Even though Dr. Cafaro retired from teaching in 2017, he continues to make an impact at LaGrange College.

While at LaGrange, Dr. Cafaro served as Chair of the History Department and helped with the implementation of “Gateway to Success,” a college 101 program for entering freshmen. He served as its co-director from 1987-2000 and 2009-2011.

In his retirement, Dr. Cafaro became involved with Panther Treks, a LaGrange College alumni travel program that ran through 2020. He led trips in England, France and Italy.

He explained what he hopes the 3D audience will take from his lecture.

“An appreciation of the lasting historical contributions of Portugal,” Dr. Cafaro said.

This will be his fourth appearance at the 3D Journeys lecture series. Previously, he gave presentations on Spain, Croatia and Vietnam.

“The 3D audience can expect to be transported as Dr. Cafaro shares his great passion for history,” Beason said. “We can look forward to traveling the world without ever leaving the LaGrange College campus.”

Attendees are asked to park in the lot located behind Sunny Gables Alumni House, 910 Broad Street; a shuttle beginning at 9:30 a.m. will take guests to the door. A Dutch-treat lunch will be available in Pitts Dining Hall following each session.

For more information, call 706-880-8244 or email 3DJourneys@kongtiao11.com.

The lecture will be available to view on the college’s YouTube channel by the Friday following the event.

 

Campus Notes

• At the end of last week, the college received final documentation from SACSCOC and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission regarding approval of the new Doctor of Education degree—the college’s first doctoral-level degree. Read more about the degree here.
• Psychology major Jonyka Tenney '24 rang the Chapel Bell this week after getting accepted into LaGrange College's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.
• Eight scholarships are available for students interested in attending the Civil Rights Heritage Tour, a pilgrimage through Alabama that traces the events, actions, and steps that led to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. There will be stops at 16th Street Baptist Church, The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum, the birthplace of Coretta Scott King, the City of Marion, the grave of Jimmy Lee Jackson, Montgomery, and the annual jubilee celebrating the marchers who marched across the bridge in Selma. The trip includes admissions, meals, transportation, and lodging. Students are only required to pay $25. Contact Ratoya Mason, Nikkovia Sweet, or The Rev. Ashley Jenkins by Jan. 22 to interview and talk about the tour.
• Marketing Professor Curtis Brown will be the featured speaker for the faculty lecture series on Monday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m., in the Bailey Room at Smith Hall. He will share how blockchain is transforming industries, enhancing customer trust, streamlining operations and revolutionizing financial transactions.

 

Collegiate Enrichment Events

Career Readiness

Wednesday, Jan. 24

11 a.m., Bailey Room

• Recent alumni of the Business program will discuss their readiness for their careers as graduates of LC. They will offer advice and answer questions from audience members.

Blood Drive

Thursday, Jan. 25

11 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room, Turner Hall

• The college, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will host a blood drive on campus.

 

Video of the Week

3D Journeys Free Lecture and Travel series

LaGrange College's 3D Journeys Lecture and Travel series:

January 22-Dr. Joe Cafaro – "History of Portugal"

February 26-Dr. John Cook – "Religion in Portugal"

March 11-Dr. Linda McMullen – "U.S. / Portugal International Business"            

 

Sports

Men’s Basketball

The Panthers hosted Berea and Maryville this past weekend and dropped both games. LC continues CCS in-conference play with Huntingdon on Saturday, Jan. 20. The home game tips off at 4 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

The team also hosted Berea and Maryville this past Friday and Saturday. They lost to Berea in a tight 61-60 game but cruised past Maryville in a 69-56 win. The Panthers hit the road this past Tuesday and crushed host Agnes Scott 72-52. The team is set to host the Hawks of Huntingdon on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Saturday, Jan. 20 – Women’s Basketball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 2 p.m., Mariotti Gym

Saturday, Jan. 20 – Men’s Basketball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 4 p.m., Mariotti Gym

Wednesday, Jan. 24 – Women’s Basketball (Home) vs. Belhaven, 5:30 p.m., Mariotti Gym

Wednesday, Jan. 24 – Men’s Basketball (Home) vs. Belhaven, 7 p.m., Mariotti Gym

 

In the Headlines

LaGrange College to launch new academic programs, including Doctor of Education, LaGrange Daily News, Jan. 16

Theatre Group Travels 6,197 kms to perfect Donegal Accents for Dancing at Lughnasa, Donegal Daily, Jan. 16

US students staging Dancing at Lughnasa travel to Donegal to perfect accent, The Irish Times, Jan. 16

American students come to Glenties to learn about Dancing at Lughnasa, Ireland Live, Jan. 16

Category: Community, College, Arts and Culture

Keywords: History, Education