AUTHOR CLYDE EDGERTON APPRECIATES SUPPORT FROM MEREDITH COLLEGE
FACULTY -
By Andrea Weaver |
 Author
Clyde Edgerton’s first novel, "Raney," brought
him critical acclaim when it was published in 1985, but the
book’s subject caused the controversial conclusion of his
teaching career at Campbell University.
"Raney" tells the story of a Free Will Baptist woman
from a small N.C. town and her Episcopalian husband from Atlanta.
It’s a humorous account of the early years of their marriage.
According to published newspaper accounts, Campbell administrators
disliked the book’s depiction of Baptists and withheld
Edgerton’s contract for the following academic year. The
university is affiliated with the North Carolina Baptist State
Convention, as Meredith was at the time.
Meredith faculty sent a resolution in support of Edgerton and
in favor of academic freedom to Campbell University. Dr. Bernard
Cochran, who introduced the resolution, also championed Edgerton
and academic freedom in interviews with area media outlets.
The faculty’s support, Edgerton said recently, "eased
my days."
The author had Meredith in mind when Dr. Hilbert Campbell, professor
emeritus of English at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University, wanted to find a permanent home for his personal
collection of Edgerton materials.
On Oct. 24, the Carlyle Campbell Library at Meredith and the
English Department sponsored a daylong celebration for the Clyde
Edgerton Collection. Materials include: first editions, galley
proofs, typescripts, journal articles, reviews, interviews,
video recordings and other materials.
"Given Meredith’s fine reputation, location, and the
faculty’s support for academic freedom… I think it’s
the ideal place to house these materials," Campbell said.
As part of the celebration, Campbell and Edgerton spoke at a
luncheon for Friends of the Library members. They visited classes,
ate a barbecue dinner on campus, and, in the evening, Edgerton
and the Rank Strangers Band gave a free concert in Jones Chapel.
Edgerton is now a faculty member with the creative writing program
at UNC-Wilmington. His second novel, "Walking Across Egypt",
was adapted as a major motion picture starring Ellen Burstyn
as Mattie Rigsby. Edgerton’s work has earned him a Guggenheim
Fellowship, a Lyndhurst Fellowship, and the North Carolina Award
for Literature. |
UNITED
WAY CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY
Meredith College’s annual United Way fundraising campaign
is currently underway, through Oct. 31.
The United Way provides support services throughout the Triangle,
including meals and shelters for the homeless, counseling, childcare
programs and support for elderly citizens. Contributions can
be designated to the Triangle United Way’s Community Care
Fund or to a specific Triangle United Way Member Agency in Wake,
Durham or Orange counties.
The campus goal for the 2002 campaign is $15,400, and contributions
can be made through a one-time donation or through Meredith’s
payroll deduction plan, which begins each January. Last year,
Meredith College raised $13,953 for the United Way.
Rory Mueller, special assistant to the president, is serving
as the United Way campaign coordinator this year. Contribution
forms should be returned to Mueller.
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MEREDITH
TO HOST STEINWAY TOUR OF PIANOS
The
Steinway Legendary Tour of Pianos will be on display at Meredith
College Nov. 6-10, giving Triangle residents a unique opportunity
to see and hear some of the world’s great pianos.
Four historic pianos are part of the tour: Vladimir Horowitz’s
Steinway concert grand piano, Van Cliburn’s Steinway
concert grand piano, the Rhapsody in Blue limited edition
Gershwin tribute piano, and the Steinway 500,000th Anniversary
piano.
Dates of display for each instrument are: Vladimir Horowitz
(Nov. 6-8), Van Cliburn (Nov. 6-10), Rhapsody in Blue (Nov.
6-8) and Steinway 500,000th piano (Nov. 6-10).
On Friday, Nov. 8 at noon, the pianos will be available for
members of the campus community to view up close. A limited
number of certificates will be on hand that are issued by
Steinway, documenting that one has played on the Legendary
Pianos. A member of the piano faculty will be on hand to answer
questions and supervise the proceedings.
All of these instruments can be heard in performances throughout
the week. Each performance will be held in Carswell Concert
Hall in the Meredith College’s Wainwright Music Building:
• Wednesday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m. ……… Karen
Allred Mitchell performing works of Debussy, Beethoven and
Chopin
• Thursday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m. Meredith Piano Faculty in
solo and ensemble performances
• Friday, Nov. 8, 8 p.m. Kent Lyman, piano and Virginia
Hudson, cello performing works of Rachmaninoff and Elgar
• Saturday, Nov.9, 8 p.m. Meredith Piano Students
• Sunday, Nov. 10, 3 p.m. Margaret Evans performing Mozart’s
Piano Concerto in A major, K. 414 with the Meredith String
Orchestra, Jack Roller, conductor
The Steinway Legendary Tour of Pianos is coming to Raleigh
through cooperation with the Hopper Piano Company, the official
Steinway dealer for the Raleigh area. The display and related
concerts are free. Call the Music Department at ext. 8536
for more information.
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Nutshell
Archives:
Sept 2002
July 2002
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April 2002
March 2002
February
2002
December-January 2001-2002
October-November 2001
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