Mosaic Summer 08

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MosaicALABAMA HUMANITIES FOUNDATION

Summer 2008

AHF Gets a New Look

Governor Bob Riley to Launch EOA at the

Alabama Humanities Awards Luncheon


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Pike County, Alabama, 2008

AL

A B A MA

HUM A N I T

I E S

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ASS

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JURI

SPRU

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THEATRE & ART HISTORY PH

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LITERATU

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Chi Psi fraternity, Amherst College, 1975


3/16

A small reminiscence, if you dont mind. During my eighth-grade debate class, the teacher

assigned me to present the affirmative case for the proposition: Should the House Un-

American Activities Committee be abolished? The HUAC was not wildly popular even in

conservative Tuscaloosa in the late 1960s. But I still approached my assignment with a natu-

ral trepidation that came from having to criticize this infamous redbaiting Congressional com-

mittee. So what was I to say when my opponent exclaimed, But Communism might take over

the world! Thinking on my feet like any smart aleck fourteen year-old, I replied, But so

might kudzu! (After the class stopped laughing, I think I won the debate on style points if

not substance.)

Today, of course, there arent communists lurking around every corner in Alabama, but it sure

seems like kudzu is. Now more than sixty years after Southerners introduced the Japanese vine

to prevent erosion, its everywhere in the landscape and shows no sign of retreat. Clearly the

green menace of kudzu has succeeded where the Red Menace of the Soviet Union failed.

The Alabama photographer William Christenberry has recorded kudzus widespread impact in

the Black Belt even documenting how it literally pulled down a small tenant shanty south of

Moundville over the course of a few decades. When he talks about kudzu, he speaks with both

admiration for its tenacity and energy (each plant grows an estimated twelve inches a day), but

also with fear of what might lurk in the dark unknown under its tendrils (mythical hoop

snakes, for example).

Like it or hate it, kudzu is truly a ubiquitous feature of our state as well as our Southern neigh-

bors. Thus I was more than comfortable with the idea of using an image of kudzu vines and

leaves for our new AHF logo. I enthusiastically embraced it as a whimsical foil to convention-

al images from academia and the liberal arts. Nevertheless, I am also pleased that one version

of the logo includes an oval list of humanities disciplines surrounding the plant: Human intel-

ligence frames nature, or some such similar metaphor?

A few years after my junior high debate, I left the South to attend Amherst College, a mem-

ber of the Little Ivy League in Massachusetts. In fact, my fraternity house was covered in

English ivy - as should any self-respecting New England college building. (The college has

since removed all of it, probably because that much ivy can damage the mortar on brick struc-tures. Plus, like kudzu, ivy can be pretty ugly in winter.) Its a stretch to say that kudzu is our

own ivy league. I certainly wouldnt push the metaphor that far. But it is beyond debate to

say that the humanities in Alabama arise from the commonplace as well as the sublime; the

vernacular as well as the learned; and the pesky, stubborn, even nasty features of our land as

well as the elegant and manicured ones. Let us know what you think.

CONTENTS

From the Directors Desk 3

News 4

SUPER Teacher Program 7

How You Can Help AHF 9

2007 Annual Report 10

Grants Awarded 12

Grant Spotlight:

World War I Symposium 13

Dr. Wayne Flynt on EOA 14

THE MISSION OF THE ALABAMA

HUMANITIES FOUNDATION (AHF)

IS TO CREATE AND FOSTER

OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE

HUMAN VALUES AND MEANING

THROUGH THE HUMANITIES.

Robert C. Stewart

Executive Director

From the Directors Desk

Cover Photo: A collection of photos from the Encyclopedia of Alabama.


4/16

HUMANITIES LEADERSHIP SUMMIT FOR CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

The Alabama Humanities Foundation and Caroline Marshall Draugh

Center for the Arts & Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts

Auburn University are co-sponsoring Alabamas first humanities conf

ence on technology in Birmingham, September 14-15, 2008. Face

Future Humanities Leadership Summit: Humanities and Technology in 2

Centurywill convene Alabama cultural, historical, art, and education

organizations to explore new possibilities through technology and bu

relationships for future partnerships.

The conference will feature keynote speakers Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Execut

Director for Public and Cultural Events at Arizona State University, and Jamil S. Zainaldi

President of the Georgia Humanities Council. Other sessions will focus on technology a

education, development, and communications/promotion. The Summit will culminate wi

the Alabama Humanities Awards Luncheon and the public launch of the online Encyclope

of Alabamaon Monday, September 15.

For online registration, program and schedule details, go to www.ahf.net. Contact Sus

Perry, AHF Grants Director, at 205-558-3993 or [email protected] for further information.

AHF ANNOUNCES 2009 New Harmonies SITES

In 2009 the traveling Museum on Main Street exhibit New Harmonies: Celebrating Americ

Roots Musicwill bring the toe-tapping story of our nations musical heritage to six Alabam

cities. New Harmoniesis sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and provides a fascinatin

inspiring listen to the American story of multi-cultural exchange. Its the story of people in

New World, places they have left behind, and ideas they have brought with them. Their d

tinct cultural identities are carried in sound both sacred and secular.

Make plans now to attend New Harmoniesat one of the following sites next year:

newsPURCHASE TICKETS NOW:

Governor Bob Rileyto Launch EOA at theAlabama HumanitiesAwards Luncheon

The 2008 Alabama Humanities Awards

Luncheon will feature Alabama Governor

Bob Riley to launch the much anticipated

Encyclopedia of Alabama on Monday,

September 15, 2008. The luncheon will

be held at noon at the Wynfrey Hotel in

Birmingham. The luncheon will also

honor the recipient of this years Alabama

Humanities Award, Senator Richard C.

Shelby, and the 2008 Jenice Riley

Memorial Scholarship winners. Purchase

tickets today to reserve your seats. Visit

www.ahf.net to download the registrationform, or phone Paul Lawson, AHF

Development Director, at (205) 558-3992.

Governor Bob Riley

Senator Richard Shelby

Colleen Jennings-

Roggensack

March 12 - May 9, 2009

Tennessee Valley Art Center Tuscumbia

May 14 - June 24, 2009

Center for the Study of the Black Belt

The University of West Alabama Livingston

July 2 - August 12, 2009

Washington County Public Library

Co-sponsored by Washington County Museum

Chatom

August 20 - September 24, 2009

Depot Museum/City of Fort Payne Fort Payne

October 1 - November 11, 2009

Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center, Inc. Troy

November 19 - December 31, 2009

Tuskegee Human & Civil Rights Multicultural

Center Tuskegee


5/16

AHF Welcomes New Board Members

David Donaldson is Director of Community Relations and Vice President of the Vulcan

Foundation at Vulcan Materials Company, where he is responsible for the community and

governmental relations programs of the companys corporate office and eight operating divi-

sions. David graduated from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, with a B.A. in

English Literature and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Public and Private Management from

Birmingham-Southern College. He currently serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees of

the Nature Conservancy, Alabama Chapter. He is also on the Board of Directors of the

Salvation Army Advisory Board, Birmingham, and serves on Leadership Birminghams

Members Council, where he is co-chairman of the councils program committee. David lives

in Homewood with his wife and two sons.

Lisa Narrell-Mead of Birmingham leads Corporate Employee

Relations and is responsible for all employment law matters for

Regions Financial Corporation. Lisa joined Regions in 1998 as

Counsel and in 2002 became Assistant General Counsel. She previ-

ously served as a partner of Constangy, Brooks & Smith. Lisa has a

bachelors degree in Political Science from Birmingham-Southern

College, as well as a juris doctorate from Emory University. She cur-

rently serves on the Board of Judicial Ethics by appointment of theAlabama Supreme Court and is President of the Junior Board of the YWCA. She is an active

member of the Labor and Litigation Sections of the American Bar Association and serves

on the Executive Committee of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Alabama

State Bar.

NEH Chairman Bruce Cole with Jack Warner, AHF Board Chair David Campbell

and Executive Director Robert Stewart (L-R).

NEH CHAIRMAN BRUCE COLE

ATTENDS AHF RECEPTION IN

TUSCALOOSA

Dr. Bruce Cole, Chairman of the National

Endowment for the Humanities and Dr

Carole Watson, Assistant Chairman of the

National Endowment for the Humanities

Partnership and National Affairs, visited

Tuscaloosa to present a collection of

Picturing America to Marjorie Freyer of the

Teaching American History program

(TAH). Cole made the presentation at the

NorthRiver Yacht Club on Thursday, April

24, 2008, during a reception hosted by the

Alabama Humanities Foundation.

Picturing America is a program of the

NEH meant to enhance students knowl-

edge, understanding and appreciation of

American history. It is a collection of forty

high-quality reproductions of artwork andartifacts that tell the story of our nations

past.

We were honored to have Bruce Cole

come to Alabama and personally present

Picturing America to the Teaching

American History program, Robe

Stewart, AHF Executive Director, said

Picturing America will engage and moti-

vate students by bringing powerful images

of American history to life in Tuscaloosaclassrooms.

The following day, Cole attended an AHF

board meeting. He enjoyed tours of the

Westervelt Warner Museum a

Whispering Cliffs Garden and lunch at the

home of Jack and Susan Warner. We are

grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Warner for their

hospitality in hosting the NEH Chairman

AHF Board and staff at the NorthRive

Yacht Club.

NEWS


6/16

NEWS

JENICE RILEY FUNDS EUFAULA LIVING WAX MUSEUM

Jane Johnson, a 3rd-5th grade teacher at Western Heights Elementary in Eufaula was a rec

ient of the 2007 Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarship award. She used her $1,000 scholarsh

to premier Eufaulas Living Wax Museum as a part of 2007s annual Eufaula Pilgrimage. M

Johnsons 5th graders extensively researched important figures from Eufaulas past and prese

who have made significant contributions to Alabama. During the pilgrimage, students play

the roles of their characters in order to educate and entertain guests.

The kids did such a good job and had a really good time, Ms. Johnson said. The 'pilgrim

who came by were extremely complimentary and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the studen

performances. We are looking forward to doing this again next year and making it even bi

ger and better. Thanks so much to the AHF for your support of this project. We would ha

never taken the leap to do this if we had not been awarded the Jenice Riley Memor

Scholarship.

Ms. Johnson plans to involve her 5th graders in the project again next year, helping them b

ter understand their heritage and appreciate the important people who have helped ma

Eufaula and Alabama a better place.

Western Heights Elementary 5th graders pose

as important historical figures during

Eufaulas Living Wax Museum, sponsored

by the Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarship.

Photos courtesy of Jane Johnson


7/16

SUPERTeacher Institute

2008 SUPER Teacher Program Institutes and Workshops

"Spanish Language, Hispanics and the Alabama Workforce," was held at the University of

Alabama Huntsville, June 16-20. Led by Mrs. Peggy M. Bilbro (retired, Randolph School),

nationally recognized leader in foreign language instruction for secondary educators in

Alabama and the Southern U.S., and Dr. Linda L. Maier, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair

of the UAH Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, the program provided Spanish

teachers the invaluable opportunity to spend a week immersed exclusively in the target lan-

guage while studying a host of important, timely topics and issues concerning the rapidly

growing Hispanic population in Alabama.

"eResearch, eWriting: Preparing Students for Tech-Savvy College-Level Work in the

Humanities" took place at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa), June 23-27. This program,

directed by Karen H. Gardiner, Ph.D., Director of the UA First-Year Writing Program,

explored how technology is changing student research and the "research paper." Participants

were brought up-to-date on the latest information for accessing primary and secondary textson-line, preventing plagiarism, online citation and documentation issues, and evaluation of

web sources. They were given extensive experience working with cutting-edge knowledge from

leaders in the field, notably Mike Palmquist, Ph.D., Professor of English and Director,

Institute for the Center for Research on Writing and Communication Technologies, Colorado

State University.

Dr. Karen Gardiner speaks on eResearch and eWriting

Dr. Linda Maier lectures during the Spanish

Language Institute.

Dr. Linda Maier speaks one-on-one with

a teacher.

Eighty middle and high school teachers from around the state were selected to participate in the

2008 SUPER Summer Teacher Institutes and One-day Workshops. The Institutes, intensive, gradu-

ate-level, weeklong, residential programs consisted of:


8/16

SUPER NEWS

Super News

Congratulations to Roy Hudson, Theater Director at Jefferson Countys Shades Valley Hi

School, on being named the 2008-09 Alabama Teacher of the Year by the Alabam

Department of Education. Roy served as co-lead scholar for the 2007 SUPER SummTeacher Institute, The Will to Teach: Shakespeare in Context Then and Now.

Lillian McKinnis, teacher of World History, U.S. History, Government, and Economics,

Central High School in Lowndes County, was recently selected by the East Asian Stud

Center (EASC) at Indiana University to join other outstanding teachers from across the cou

try in a three-week study tour of Korea and Japan. The study tour is sponsored by the Nation

Consortium for Teaching About Asia, an outreach project of the Freeman Foundation. Lilli

participated in the 2005 SUPER Summer Teacher Institute, East Asia: A Cultural Stud

Tour of China, Korea and Japan, co-sponsored by the EASC.

"History and Culture of Mobile and Alabama's Gulf Coast" took place at Spring Hill Colle

July 6-11. Directed by Margaret H. Davis, Ph.D., and John H. Hafner, Ph.D., Professors

English, Spring Hill College, provided participants an unusual opportunity to spend a we

of intensive study of the history and culture of Alabama's oldest city through the subject ar

of geography, history, economics, politics, race, class and civil rights studies, literature, the a

and architecture, culinary traditions and eating habits. Guest scholars and speakers includ

David Alsobrook, Ph.D., Director of the Museum of Mobile, the University of Sou

Alabama's Philip Forbus, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Frye Gaillard, Author a

Instructor, Gregory Waselkov, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Director

Archives, and Sue Walker, Professor of English and Alabama's Poet Laureate. Among seve

field trips was a tour of the architectural treasures of old Mobile, led by John Sledge of t

Mobile Historic Development Commission and Books Editor, Mobile Press-Register, a

an introduction to Mobile's coastal cuisine traditions, presented by acclaimed local ch

Vincent Henderson.

Since 1991, AHF has

taken a leading role

in the professional

development of Alabama

teachers through SUPER(School and University

Partners for Educational

Renewal).

Participants at the Mobile SUPER Institute

visit Eugene Walters grave.

Vincent Henderson prepared a delicious m

for the SUPER Mobile participants, highligh

the regions coastal cuisine and traditions.


9/16

BEATING THE AHF DRUM

You may be familiar with the Battle of Shiloh. It was an epic Civil War battle fought in

Western Tennessee in 1862. Confederate forces launched a surprise attack against the

Union troops of Maj. Gen. Ulysses S.Grant and came very close to defeating his army.

As the story goes, during the battle a young boy serving as the drummer for a Northern

regiment, was ordered to beat attack. Responding to his sharp summons, the troops

stormed up a hill but met fierce enemy fire and came to a halt. The captain called to the

boy to beat retreat. The young lad drummed, but again beat attack. Retreat! the offi-

cer yelled. Tears flowed from the boys eyes. Captain, he shouted, Attack is all I know.

They never taught me retreat. Hearing the familiar signal, the men resumed their

onslaught, and to their own surprise captured the hill.

Likewise, the AHF drum-beat has always been advance. We feel our mission statement

is unique: To create and foster opportunities to explore human values and meaning through the

humanities. Ours is a very focused mission and our donors and supporters are appreciative

of that fact. We continually hear words of encouragement to continue our practice of put-

ting every available dollar into AHF programs and services. Elsewhere in this edition of

Mosaicyou can review a complete annual financial report on how these dollars are mak-

ing a difference.

Perhaps you would like to know more about how you can help advance AHF with aplanned gift. This type of gift can have a major impact and requires more thought on the

amount and how the gift will be used. These gifts often are financed from estate assets or

other sources. There are many questions to ask. What is the best way to make this gift? Do

you need temporary or life-time income from your gift arrangement? What are the tax

implications?

Careful planning can actually enhance the long-term impact of any gift. Consider these

potential benefits of planning your gift:

Maximize the size of your gift

Utilize stocks, bonds or other property

Optimize the tax-related benefits Tailor your gift to a specific AHF program

Bequests, major gifts, property gifts and endowments are important to AHF and what we

can accomplish in the future. Please phone (205) 558-3992 if you would like to discuss a

planned gift or the multiple ways you can help AHF.

Paul LawsonDirector of Development


10/16

LAUDERDALEB S T LIMESTONE

B SMADISON

B S RT G

JACKSONB S G

COLBERTB G

FRANKLIN LAWRENCE

TMORGAN

B S T MMARSHALL

S TDEKALBB S T

MARIONB

WINSTONCULLMAN

B S

BLOUNT

B T

ETOWAHB S T

CHEROKEEG M

CALHOUNB G

CLEBURNE

ST. CLAIRB ST GJEFFERSON

B S T G

WALKERB S GFAYETTE

S G

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PICKENS TUSCALOOSAS

BIBBB M

SHELBYB S R G

TALLED

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CLAY BRANDOLPH

CHAMBERSB

LEEB S GELMORE

S R T

MACON

B RUSSELLT

AUTAUGA

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DALLASS R T G

MARENGOG M

CHOCTAW

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LOWDNESS

BUTLERS M

MONROE

B T G

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WASHINGTON CONECUHT

COVINGTON

GESCAMBIAB

COFFEE DALE

HENRYM S G

GENEVAHOUSTON

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MOBILEB S T G

BALDWIN

B S T

MONTGOMERY

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2007Annual Report

R Riley Scholarship Recipients T Motheread Trainee B Speakers Bureau

S SUPER Teacher G Grants M Museum on Main Street

B


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Presented below is condensed financial information for the Alabama Humanities Foundation for the yearending December 31, 2007. For a complete financial report, please contact the AHF offices at 205-558-3980.

EXPENSES

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION For the Year Ended December 31, 2007

INCOME

ASSETS

Cash and Equivalents $317,933

Grants Receivable 129,756

Pledges Receivable 10,500

Prepaid Expenses 7,761

Property and Equipment - Net of Accumulated Depreciation 56,331

TOTAL ASSETS 522,281

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETSLiabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $6,016

Lease Liability 15,323

Regrants Payable 101,322

Accrued Vacation 19,806

Total Liabilities 142,467

Net Assets:

Unrestricted 197,132

Temporarily Restricted 182,682

Total Net Assets 379,814

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 522,281

$139,164$432,199

$184,266

$962,468

$361,047

$342,290

$162,194

$135,358

$128,600

Program Services

Regrants and Regrant Management 342,290

Speakers Bureau and Resource Center 162,194

SUPER 135,358

Motheread 139,164

Encyclopedia of Alabama 361,047

Supporting Services 432,199

Total Expenses 1,572,252

Income

Federal 70% 962,468

State 9% 128,600

Private 14% 184,266

Other 7% 89,355

Total Income 1,364,689

$89,355

ANNUAL REPORT


12/16

February 08

Philip Henry Gosse: Painter and Naturalist in Antebellum

Alabama

College of Arts and Science,

Troy University-Dothan Campus

$500 outright

Dr. Gary Mullen will present a lecture on Philip Henry Gosse, a

British itinerant portrait artist who traveled through Alabama during

the 1830s, at Troy University-Dothan Campus.

Cassandra King: A Voice from Home

Wallace State Community College

$1,700 outrightCassandra King will lead discussions on her book Same Sweet Girls.

Montevallo Literary Festival, 2008

University of Montevallo

$2,000 outright, $1,000 matching

The Montevallo Literary Festival will feature five readings and

discussion of poetry and fiction.

March 08

Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project, 2008-2009

Humanities Classes

Department of Psychology, Auburn University$8,500 outright

Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project will offer humanities cours-

es in Southern literature, world literature, African-American theatre

and literature.

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World

Birmingham Public Library

$4,000 outright

To complement NEHs traveling exhibition Benjamin Franklin: In

Search of a Better World, the Birmingham Public Library will spon-

sor public programs about Benjamin Franklin.

Symposium on Alabama in World War I

English Dept., Troy University-Montgomery

$5,300 outright

This symposium on the history and importance of World War I and

Alabama is featured on page 13.

Southern Literary Trail: Alabama Writers and Their Places

Marengo County Historical Society

$8,500 outright

The Southern Literary Trail is a collaboration of six Alabama commu-

nities from Hartselle to Mobile and from Demopolis to Tuskegee that

will celebrate 20th century Alabama writers.

The Year of Alabama History: ArchiTreats 2009

Friends of the Alabama Archives

$4,000 outright

For the 2009 Year of Alabama History, the Alabama Department o

Archives and History will present a monthly lecture series to bring

the story of Alabama history to the people of the state.

Our Mockingbird

Birmingham Pledge Foundation

$6,000 matching

The media grant will fund the completion of filming and editing of

Our Mockingbird, a one hour documentary about the influence of

Harper Lees story To Kill A Mockingbird.

W.I.L.D. Weekend Immersed in Language Development

Alabama Foreign Language Teachers

$6,626 outright

Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers (AAFLT) is

hosting W.I.L.D. for students and teachers of French, Spanish and

German to explore film, music, dance, art history, history and

culture.

May 08

The Story of Alabama Music

University of West Alabama

$2,000 outright

The Story of Alabama Music will accompany the SmithsoniansMuseum on Main Street exhibition New Harmonies: Celebrating

American Roots Music in 2009.

The Merchant of Havana

Dept. of TCF, University of Alabama

$2,000 outright

The documentary film retells the story of Shakespeares The

Merchant of Venice through a unique production of the play with

Cuban and American actors from the University of Alabama.

Humanities Grants Awarded 2008AHF awarded grants totaling $46,126 to date in Fiscal Year 2008.

Susan PerryGrants Director

2


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Americas active participation in World War I lasted only 19 months, from April 1917 until

November 1918. American doughboys did not arrive in significant numbers until mid-

1918, and though they participated in the intense fighting of late summer and early fall, they

left Europe almost immediately after the Armistice and were demobilized before the

European belligerents signed the Treaty of Versailles (the United States never signed the

treaty). This short involvement, coupled with the far bloodier wars of the 20th century

means that the War to End All Wars neither ended war nor remained long in Americans

memories. Nevertheless it had important impacts on American culture and institutions.

This year, 2008, is the 90th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the worlds first truly

industrialized war. With grant funding from AHF and other sponsors, this two-day

Symposium focused on Alabama and World War I on July 25 - 26 in Montgomery. Focusing

on the history of World War I, the ramification of mobilization on the people and institu-

tions of the State of Alabama, and the wars impact on the Fitzgeralds writings, this confer-

ence featured a day devoted to Teachers Workshops and another to a public program.

The Teachers Workshops offered Alabama course of study compliant workshops to help

educators teach about the war. The Workshops also included a tour of World War I sites in

Photo courtesy of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama

Symposium on World War I

World War I victory celebration in

Montgomery.

GRANT SPOTLIGHT

World War I victory parade on Dexter Ave.

Montgomery, screening of the movie

Company K, Robert Clems AHF-sup-

ported film based on William Marchs

novel, and a keynote address by Dr. James

Meredith on literature of the war. Friday

night the participants celebrated Zelda

Fitzgeralds birthday at the Fitzgerald

Museum. On Saturday, the public attend-

ed sessions about the war, tours of

war-related sites and listened to several

scholars speak on the impact and legacy

the war left on our state. Many of the

speakers are contributors to the upcoming

book from the University of Alabama

Press, The Great War in the Heart of

Dixie: Alabama During World War I, edit-

ed by Martin T. Olliff.

Because World War I does not fare well in

our collective memory, this conference

had an impact on teachers, students and

Alabama citizens. This Symposium exam-ined the war with a focus on Alabama, giv-

ing participants insight into its impor-

tance.


14/16

Sometimes we overuse words to express those opinions we most sincer

believe. Every one of us has been guilty. We have the most beautiful/han

some children, the cutest grandchildren, work for the best boss, support t

greatest team, bake the tastiest cookies, make the best pies, or engage in t

biggest lies and grandest exaggerations. So, I have noticed in meetings t

past six years that eyes roll and brows furrow when I say that the Encycloped

of Alabama is the most expansive and ambitious intellectual collaboration

state history. I can mentally see inside brains as the auditors try to come

with a project they have known that trumps this one.

Of course, skeptics may be correct. Some where, some time, some place, some project m

have exceeded this one in allies, contributors, sponsors, and funders. But up to this mom

no one has made a convincing case to me. The public launch of the Encyclopediawill oc

with Governor Bob Rileys announcement at the Alabama Humanities Foundation Awa

Luncheon on September 15. Those who quickly respond, and there will be thousands, can r

between 500 and 600 articles (the teaser for some 5,000 now commissioned or planned) w

ten by some of the best scholars worldwide who are experts in all things Alabama. Not just

torians either. Geologists, biologists, geographers, sociologists, agronomists, archaeologi

paleontologists; experts on timber, sports, country music, theater, business and industry; s

diers, sailors, airmen; plain ordinary people who have taken the time to love and become exp

about a subject important to Alabama; they have written articles on coon dog cemeter

Hank Williams, Harper Lee, the Tuskegee Airmen, Rosa Parks, Helen Keller, catfish farmithe Bankhead National Forest, African American colleges, tenant farming, Alabama Pow

Company, and hundreds of other fascinating topics. Dozens of individuals, foundations, c

porations, federal and state agencies have caught the vision and contributed substantial fun

Auburn University has given us a home, with history professor Jeff Jakeman serving as E

editor and the projects on-campus champion. The Alabama Humanities Foundation has b

our stalwart ally, led by its Executive Director and EOAadvocate Bob Stewart. The Univer

of Alabama Press was there from EOAs inception, starting with its former Director, Nic

Mitchell, as an original project partner and now carried forward by UAP Director Dan Ro

Newspapers, photographic archives, university film makers, the state archives, and individu

have contributed thousands of images and hours of video tape to allow full illustration of

stories being told. Go online. Read carefully. Then send me your nomination for a more expsive vision of the state or a more extensive collaboration.

Am I proud? You bet! Am I chauvinistic? Why not. In my opinion we have for one of the

times in our intellectual history not trailed the nation, but led it. We have an incredible st

whose hard work and technological savvy have created a product that other states will envy. B

here is the real source of my pride.

For the first time in the states history, we will have written the major narrative of who we

what we believe, how we have lived, and what we have accomplished. We tell the story, wa

and all. But we depict the beauty as well as the pollution, the dreams as well as the failures,

4

The Encyclopedia of Alabam

LA

UN

CH

!BY: DR. WAYNE FLYNT


15/16

triumphs as well as the disasters. The honesty with which authors depict the warts will lend

credence to the honesty with which authors also depict the grandeur.

For the first time in the states history, 750,000 school children, whether public, homeschooled

or private, will have free, equal access to the best scholarship in the world about Alabama, con-

stantly expanded and updated. We have worked from the beginning with the State Department

of Education, a teacher advisory group, the Alabama Learning Exchange, Superintendents Ed

Richardson and Joe Morton, who could not have been more supportive. We are presently

building technology that will allow teachers to collate articles relevant to their students by les-

son plan, course objective, and graduation exam, as well as to personalize their site with their

own illustrations, music, or information.

And finally, for the first time in the states history, corporations, businesses, and tourists inter-

ested to coming to Alabama to locate, live, manufacture, or just to visit can go online and learn

most of what they need to know. Just a click of a computer pad embeds them in a world far

more fascinating and complex than they contemplated.

The online Encyclopedia of Alabama, the first attempt to categorize the states rich history, cul-

ture, business, flora, fauna, and geography in nearly a century, is an intellectual buffet guaran-

teed to both satisfy your appetite and whet it at the same time. Come join us at the banquet!

Dr. Wayne Flynt is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Alabama. He is a leading authority on Alabama history and Baptist history in Alabama. He is the author of eleven books, including

Alabama in the Twentieth Century, Dixie's Forgotten People: The South's Poor Whites, and the

Pulitzer Prize-nominated Poor But Proud: Alabama's Poor Whites. Dr. Flynt will join Governor

Riley in launching the Encyclopedia of Alabama on September 15, at the 2008 Alabama

Humanities Awards Luncheon in Birmingham.


16/16

Non-Profit Or

U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit 3379Birmingham, A

Alabama Humanities Foundation

1100 Ireland Way, Suite 101

Birmingham, AL 35205

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Board of Directors: David Campbell, Rainsville, Chair; *Lynne Berry,

Huntsville, Vice Chair; Ralph G. Holberg III, Mobile, Secretary; *Calvin Brown,

Decatur, Treasurer; *Marthanne Brown, Jasper; Malik Browne, Eutaw; Rick

Cook, Auburn; David Donaldson, Birmingham; Kathleen W. Dotts, Huntsville;

Wayne Greenhaw, Montgomery; Reginald T. Hamner, Montgomery; *Janice

Hawkins, Troy; Mary D. Hubbard, Birmingham; Kay L. Kimbrough, Mobile;Marilyn Kurata, Birmingham; Lisa Narrell-Mead, Birmingham; Donald R.

Noble, Cottondale; Jim Noles, Birmingham; Martin T. Olliff, Dothan; Danny K.

Patterson, Mobile; Angela Roberts, Monroeville; Janie Spencer, Birmingham;

Edgar Welden, Birmingham; *Bob Whetstone, Birmingham; Billie Jean Young,

Pennington.

*Governors Appointee

Staff: Robert C. Stewart, Executive Director; Alma Anthony, Administrative

Assistant; Tom Bryant, Director of Programs and SUPER Manager; Melissa

Morgan, Public Relations Manager; Paul Lawson, Director of Development

and Public Relations; Susan Perry, Grants Director; Patricia Williams, Financial

Officer; Cynthia Martin, Program and Development Assistant; Dionne Clark,

Community Programs Manager

Alabama Humanities Foundation205-558-3980 fax 205-558-3981

Nancy Rohr at Auburn University Montgomery.

Road Scholars on the Move

Dolores Hydock speaks on the history of Cajun music at the Orange Beac

Public Library.

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