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The Lighthouse Announces Impressive Lineup of Speakers for Fall 2018

On Deck Speaker Series brings five distinguished professionals to the campus community

University News | September 5, 2018

From “Decolonizing Shakespeare: Is Shakespeare Relevant to Marginalized Groups?” to “Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, and Mary Magdalene: Origin Stories that Shape Women’s Power,” the fall 2018 On Deck Speaker Series promises to be interesting, informative and thought-provoking.

The series, sponsored by The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery, brings an impressive lineup of five speakers to share their professional expertise and insights on topics such as art, theater, music, religion and economics, with the VWU campus community.

Mark your calendars for these notable fall semester events.

The VWU Fall 2018 On Deck Premier Speaker Series:

September 13, 11 a.m., Blocker Auditorium

Professor Diane Edison: Black and White

Edison teaches at the Lamar Dodd School of Art. Using color pencils on black paper, she creates portraitures with an emphasis on the autobiographical. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Edison's work will be on display in the Neil Britton Art Gallery.

September 20, 11 a.m., GESC 255

Dr. Martine Kei Green Rogers ’02: Decolonizing Shakespeare: Is Shakespeare Relevant to Marginalized Groups?

Green-Rogers is an Assistant Professor at SUNY- New Paltz and President of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas. As a freelance dramaturg, she has worked at theaters throughout the U.S. This fall, she returns to her alma mater to dramaturg VWU's fall production of “The Tempest.”

October 25, 11 a.m. Blocker Auditorium

Doug Seroff: Alexander Tolliver's Smart Set and the Popularization of Blues and Jazz in the World War I Era American Circus

Seroff, a scholar of African-American music history, is the author of many publications and has contributed to a number of documentaries. He was nominated three times for a Grammy Award.

November 1, 11 a.m., Blocker Auditorium

Dr. Elizabeth Coody: Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, and Mary Magdalene: Origin Stories that Shape Women’s Power

Coody is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Morningside College. Through graphic novels she explains how the origin stories of each of these women dramatically shapes their perceived power.

November 8, 12 p.m., Pearce Hospitality Suite

Dr. Cecile E. Bohanon: The Limits of Economics and How the Humanities Can Help

Bohanon is a Professor of Economics at Ball State University. His research focuses on public choice, applied microeconomics, and economic education. He has published widely and is a weekly columnist for the Indianapolis Business Journal. Funding for this event was provided by the Institute for Humane Studies.

For more information about the On Deck Premier Speaker Series, visit or contact Executive Director of The Lighthouse and Professor of History Sara Sewell at 757.455.3237 or ssewell@vwu.edu.