Calendar of Events with Lectures, Book Discussions, Photography and Panel Discussions
The Legacy Project at County College of Morris (CCM) continues its yearlong series focusing on “War, Peace & Healing.” Additionally, events centered around diversity and equity round out the Legacy Project’s Spring Semester programming. The series includes lectures, panel discussions, photography and book discussions. All events are free, online and open to the public. All reservations are requested by emailing legacy@ccm.edu and a Zoom link will then be provided to participants.
“Since the pandemic occurred last March, some of our programming had to be cancelled. We wanted to honor the guest speakers who were scheduled last year and we continued with the topic of ‘War, Peace & Healing,’ this academic year,” said CCM Professor Samantha Gigliotti, from the biology and chemistry department and co-chair of the Legacy Project. “We also included very timely and relevant topics focusing on diversity and equity and believe these conversations will encourage positive dialogue in the community.”
The Legacy Project is offering five engaging Spring Semester lectures:
Thursday, February 4, at 12:30 p.m. – “A Conversation With Alexandra Chang”
Author Alexandra Chang
Acclaimed writer Chang discusses her debut novel, “Days of Distraction,” a portrait of a young woman finally free to choose her own path, but unsure if she will choose wisely. Chang’s novel examines race, gender, and sexuality with insights on how Chinese people and their culture have been received throughout American history. The event is part of the Legacy Project’s Ambassadors Program and is co-sponsored by the CCM English and Philosophy Department.
Thursday, February 11, at 12:30 p.m. – “A Conversation with Shan Wallace”
Celebrated photographer Shan Wallace will talk about her life and work. According to her biography, Wallace’s works are inspired by the ‘harsh racial, social and economic realities of her surroundings in Baltimore, focusing on the importance of service, the power of collaboration and the effects of social change.’ The event is funded by a New Jersey Council for the Humanities Action Grant and is co-sponsored by the CCM Art and Design Department.
Tuesday, February 23, at 7 p.m. – “A Reflection on Women’s Suffrage, 100 Years in the Making with Susan Ware”
A pioneer in the field of women’s history and a leading feminist biographer, Ware is the author and editor of numerous books on 20th-century U.S. history. Her most recent book is “Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote.” A Q&A with the author will follow the discussion. The event is funded by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities’ Women’s Suffrage & Beyond Program Award.
Thursday, March 4, at 12:30 p.m. – “Surviving the Rwanda Genocide with Eugenie Mukeshimana”
Eugenie Mukeshimana
Founder of the Genocide Survivors Support Network, Mukeshimana will open up about how she survived the Rwanda genocide in the 1990s. After she shares her experiences of strength and survival, Mukeshimana will take questions from the zoom participants. The event is funded by a New Jersey Council for the Humanities Action Grant.
Tuesday, April 6, at 12:30 p.m. – “Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back From War with Finbarr O’Reilly”
Combat photographer O’Reilly will discuss his work covering conflict around the world. He will also discuss his co-written memoir, “Shooting Ghosts.” The event is funded by a New Jersey Council for the Humanities Action Grant.
The Legacy Project began in fall 2013 with a panel discussion centered on civil rights. On average, for the past eight years, the Legacy Project has engaged approximately 500 audience members per semester, or 1,000 audience members per academic year.
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The CCM Legacy Project programming was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.
