Lectures September 17, 2003 Minutes

Auburn University English Symposium/Benson Lecture Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting: Sept. 17, 2003

Members present: Betsy Smith, Alicia Carroll, Bert Hitchcock, Shea Stuart

Betsy Smith opened the meeting with an overview of the four symposium speakers for 2003-04: Molly Smith on Sept. 11, Carl Dennis on Oct. 23 (point of contact: Joy Leighton), Anthony Hecht on March 4 (point of contact James Goldstein and Paula Backscheider), and Robyn Weigman on April 15 (point of contact: Penny Ingram). Beginning with Carl Dennis’ poetry reading, all symposiums will be held at the Jules Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. The bookstore will be asked to stock Dennis’ books. The committee discussed ways to tie in the poetry reading with the Haley Center Poetry Project and confirmed the bookstore will be stocking Dennis’ books. Bert Hitchcock . Alicia Carroll raised the question about outdoors receptions for future speakers since the museum is not ready to cater events. Ways to generate publicity and funds were discussed, and Alicia Carroll suggested applying for grant money for future funding.

At that point, the meeting shifted focus onto future events. Alicia Carroll explained the plans in progress for the Gees Bend quilt exhibit coming in fall 2005; plans include commissioning an Alabama poet to write an occasion poem for the event. The committee discussed planning symposium speakers for next year who will generate interest and excitement in the coming exhibit. More interest was expressed in roundtable discussions, teaching sessions, and faculty debates than in lecturers, allowing more focus on the community at large and saving funds in case the budget is cut. Other possibilities for next year’s symposiums were proposed;. Bert Hitchcock suggested acting Supreme Court Justice Gorman and Alicia Carroll suggested Cynthia Tucker from the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

The next meeting will be held in November to discuss more ideas for the next academic year, to evaluate the museum as a symposium site, and to discuss possible outside sources of money.

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Last updated October 30, 2003