Colligan Lecture Series kicks off September 21

August 31, 2006

Five American historians are scheduled to speak this fall on the Miami Hamilton campus as part of the Michael J. Colligan History Project Lecture Series during the 2006-07 academic year.

Todd L. Savitt will talk about the establishment of African-American medical colleges at 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 21, in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center. Savitt, an East Carolina University historian, is a pioneer in the field of the history of medicine. He will discuss the advent of historically black medical colleges and their profound and abiding impact on American civilization. Savitt has written extensively on slave health, sickle cell anemia, sudden infant death syndrome, the use of African Americans for medical experimentation and the entry of black physicians into the American medical profession.

Jessa Piaia will deliver a live performance at 7:30 p.m. Tues., Oct. 3, in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center, recreating the life and times of America’s pioneering aviatrix Amelia Earhart. Piaia’s character portrayals celebrate women of the past whose diverse lives span three centuries. In her poignant and inspiring dramatic vignettes, Piaia reveals the accomplishments, struggles and contributions of these women to American history. She depicts each woman’s life set against the historic events and issues of the day.

Douglas Brinkley will discuss “D-Day: The Boys of Pointe du Hoc” at 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 26, in Parrish Auditorium. Brinkley, former director of the National D-Day Museum and MSNBC commentator, recalls the heroism and sacrifices of June 6, 1944, the “Longest Day” in American history. Brinkley is a Distinguished Professor of History and director of the Eisenhower Center at University of New Orleans. He is a regular contributor to National Public Radio, and has written numerous articles for The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs and New Yorker magazine.

William M. McBride will discuss “Innovation and Modern Warfare” at 7:30 p.m. Wed., Nov. 1, in the Wilks Conference Center. One of the nation’s leading experts on the development of modern warfare, McBride will discuss the evolution of naval technology in the context of America’s changing role in the world. McBride is a Distinguished Professor of History at the United States Naval Academy, specializes is American naval history, European and U.S. military and strategic history, and the history of technology and engineering.

Paul Hutton will talk about “Davy Crockett: The Controversial Legend of His Death” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center. Hutton specializes in frontier history, military history and popular culture. A distinguished scholar of America’s mythical westward expansion, Hutton delves into the unlikely demise of one of history’s greatest and most celebrated pioneers. A history professor at University of New Mexico, Hutton has published several books including The Custer Reader, Eyewitness to the Civil War, Soldiers West and Biographies from the Military Frontier. His forthcoming book, to be released in 2007, is entitled Sunrise in His Pocket: The Life, Legend and Legacy of Davy Crockett.