Campus News

UK, UPK Speakers Bureau Connections

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2009) - The Kentucky Humanities Council has released a list of scholars and writers who will serve on its Speakers Bureau for 2009. Among this year's roster of featured speakers are five faculty and staff members from the University of Kentucky and 10 University Press of Kentucky authors, four of whom are new to the program this year.

The Kentucky Humanities Council Speakers Bureau brings together historians, scholars, writers and poets from across Kentucky. These speakers are available to speak to community groups with an audience of 25 or more about a variety of topics, from World War II to Abraham Lincoln, from how to become a fiction writer to tales of memorable Kentuckians in history. Programs are available at a reduced cost for nonprofit organizations.

UK faculty and staff on the 2009 Speakers Bureau are:

- Thomas G. Barnes, extension professor and wildlife specialist in the Department of Forestry, presenting talks titled "Wildflower Myths and Realities" and "Caring for Creation: The Scriptures and Environmental Stewardship";

Richard Domek, professor of music theory at the School of Music, presenting talks titled "Eubie Blake and American Ragtime," "More Ragtime and Stride Piano" and "Ragtime and Stride Piano: Elite Syncopations, Fascinatin' Rhythms";

Jane Gentry Vance, professor of creative writing and poetry in the Department of English and former Poet Laureate of Kentucky, presenting talks titled "What are Poems Useful For? A Talk and Reading," "Poems as a Way of Knowing" and "Creating the Soul of Kentucky: Kentucky Poems";

- Terry Foody, certified clinical research coordinator for UK HealthCare, presenting talks titled "Infectious Disaster! The 1833 Lexington Cholera Epidemic" and "A New Yorker Finds Her Old Kentucky Home"; and

- Jeff Worley, editor of Odyssey Magazine and editor of the anthology of Kentucky poetry "What Comes Down to Us: 25 Contemporary Kentucky Poets," published by University Press of Kentucky, presenting "A Poetry Reading: Recent Collection of Poems."

The University Press of Kentucky's other three authors who are new to the Kentucky Humanities Council Speakers Bureau are:

- Michael W. Austin, editor of "Football and Philosophy: Going Deep," presenting talks titled "For Respect of the Game" and "Why Winning Matters";

- Susan Reigler, author of "The Complete Guide to Kentucky State Parks," presenting talks titled "The Not-So-Famous Names Behind Kentucky State Parks" and "The Kentucky State Parks' Wayback Machine"; and

- Jim Tomlinson, author of "Nothing Like an Ocean: Stories," presenting talks titled "A Fiction Writer and His Work: Making Up the Truth" and "A Second Act."

The Kentucky Humanities Council Inc., housed on the UK campus, is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. It is not a state agency but it does partner with Kentucky’s cultural, heritage, arts and tourism agencies. In addition to providing the Speakers Bureau, the Kentucky Humanities Council produces Kentucky Humanities magazine, brings Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibits to community museums across the state, organizes the Kentucky Chautauqua program, and advocates literacy through two adult and youth programs—New Books for New Readers and Prime Time Family Reading Time.