USM Special Collections to host events Celebrating 100th Birthday of Will Campbell

Tue, 09/17/2024 - 11:49am | By: Dawn Smith

The Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC), the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), has awarded The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Libraries Special Collections a grant to fund a project that will stimulate meaningful dialogue, attract diverse audiences, and increase understanding of the human experience.

The project will celebrate the life and work of Mississippi author and preacher Will D. Campbell in a celebration of his 100th birthday. Events that are free and open to the public will include a book discussion of Campbell’s National Book Award finalist memoir Brother to a Dragonfly, a lecture, and an exhibit opening and reception.

“We really wanted to celebrate the life and work of Will D. Campbell this year,” said Jennifer Bannock, curator of Rare Books and Mississippiana in Special Collections, and principal investigator of the grant. “Special Collections is fortunate to have his archival collection, and we look forward to helping younger generations learn more about Campbell. We truly appreciate funding from the Mississippi Humanities Council to make these events possible.”

In Brother to a Dragonfly, Campbell writes about his life growing up poor in Amite County, Mississippi, during the 1930s alongside his older brother. The book serves as a historical account of Campbell's life with his brother, his tenure as a Baptist preacher, and his involvement in the later stages of the Civil Rights movement. The book discussion is scheduled for Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. in Cook Library, room 209A.

The lecture, “Where Two or Three Are Gathered: Reconsidering Community and Conversation with Will D. Campbell,” presented by Brett Harris, will examine the recurring theme of community and the need for conversation through the life and writings of Will D. Campbell. Harris, a Baptist minister and the host of the podcast God Knows Where, draws parallels with Campbell's work. Having taught classes focusing on Campbell, he introduced students to Campbell's legacy through the collection of his papers housed in Special Collections. The lecture will take place Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Gonzales Auditorium at the USM Liberal Arts Building, followed by an exhibit opening and reception at McCain Library and Archives.

The exhibit “A Celebration of Will D. Campbell: Preacher, Activist, and Writer” features the materials held in the Will D. Campbell papers. The exhibit highlights his efforts during the Civil Rights movement including his work with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference, manuscripts of his writings, and the many stories told through his papers.

Mississippi Humanities Council grants are used to support public humanities programs, exhibits, the planning of larger projects and the development of original productions in film, television, radio, or online resources. All projects are intended to serve Mississippians and are free and open to the public.

Funding for this grant was provided by the Mississippi Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this announcement do not necessarily represent those of the Mississippi Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information, contact Dawn Smith.