Scholar, Author to Lend Personal Insights into Hurricane Katrina Disaster at UA Lecture and Panel Discussion

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Trauma and life surrounding the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans will be the subject of a reading and panel discussion featuring noted scholar and author Dr. Jerry W. Ward Jr. Feb. 4-5 at The University of Alabama.

Presented by UA’s Creative Campus Initiative, Ward will give a public reading from his recent book “The Katrina Papers: A Journal of Trauma and Recovery,” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, in room 205 of Gorgas Library.

Ward, distinguished professor of English and African American world studies at Dillard University in New Orleans, also will participate as a panelist with Brice Miller, assistant director of the Crossroads Community Center, in a Community Conversation at noon Thursday, Feb. 5, in room 301 of Morgan Hall on UA’s campus. The Community Conversation invites the public to share personal experiences from hurricane Katrina and to engage in reflective conversation with the panelists. All events are free and open to the public.

Ward’s “The Katrina Papers” is a fusion of many kinds of writing, including intellectual autobiography, personal narrative, political-cultural analysis, spiritual journal, literary history and poetry. Although it is the record of one man’s experience of Hurricane Katrina, it is a record that is fully a part of his life and work as a scholar, political activist and professor. Ward also is recognized as one of the leading experts on African-American author Richard Wright.

Ward’s visit is co-sponsored by the Creative Campus Initiative, University Libraries, Crossroads Community Center, New College, the African American Studies Program and the English department’s Bankhead Visiting Writers Series. To arrange an appointment with Ward or to find out more about his visit, contact Alexis Clark, coordinator, alexis.clark@ua.edu or the Creative Campus office at 205/348-7884.

Under the auspices of UA’s Office of Academic Affairs, the Creative Campus Initiative is a collaborative system connecting students, faculty and community to nurture innovative thinkers who turn ideas into action. Creative Campus seeks to serve as a hub of collaboration and creative activity at The University of Alabama. At the heart of Creative Campus is the undergraduate and graduate intern program. For more information on Creative Campus visit www.creativecampus.ua.edu