Fall MSU Institute for the Humanities events bring music, history, Southern culture to campus
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s Institute for the Humanities is bringing a diverse lineup of public events to campus this fall, beginning with an evening of poetry, conversation and live music on Sept. 24.
The fall series opens on this date with poet and musician Lee Bains. He is joined by MSU English faculty member and published poet Christie Collins and C.T. Salazar, an assistant professor and digital librarian at Mississippi University for Women, for a public reading and conversation about the art of music and poetry.
Bains also will share his musical talent, bringing together two creative forces that have shaped his work. The free event begins at 6 p.m. in Mitchell Memorial Library’s John Grisham Room.
“We could not be more excited about the institute’s upcoming events. We’re focusing on the art and history of the U.S. South with programming that appeals to scholars and public audiences alike,” said Joseph Thompson, institute director and MSU associate professor of history. “The humanities give us stories, and the stories we tell about our past and present have the power to shape our future. The South is a beautifully complex place full of everyday wonders and world-changing history. Our fall events will offer audiences a chance to engage with our region’s poetry, songs, stories and film from some of our most innovative creators.”
The institute’s series continues this fall with a conversation between MSU historian Jim Giesen and University of Mississippi Faculty Fellow and Writer in Residence Ralph Eubanks on their books about the South and a screening of the documentary “Natchez” followed by a conversation with the film’s director. Dates for the two events will be announced at a later time.
Part of MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Institute for the Humanities promotes research, scholarship and creative performances in the humanistic disciplines while raising their visibility within the university and the wider community.
For more details about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Institute for the Humanities, visit www.cas.msstate.edu and www.ih.msstate.edu.
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