UM Conference on the Civil War Explores Leadership

October 22, 2009

Civil War scholars and enthusiasts will gather at the University of Mississippi October 30-31 for the UM Conference on the Civil War.  The conference is sponsored by the Center for Civil War Research, Department of History, and Division of Outreach and Continuing Education.

The 2009 symposium, “Leadership,” will feature presentations by a range of scholars and authors, as well as book signings, battlefield excursions, speaker’s reception, and opportunities to tour the historic Ole Miss campus.

UM Associate Professor of History John Neff said the subject of leadership was chosen because it has a broad appeal among Civil War scholars.

“Strategically, one of the things we try to do is to pick a topic that has not only broad appeal among the audience, but has appeal among Civil War scholars working on various topics who can find a broad connection to a larger topic,” Neff said.  “By picking the topic of leadership, I opened the door to many kinds of Civil War historians.  We have scholars coming to talk about leadership among African-Americans, women, and religious groups as well as the more traditional military and political leadership topics.”Joan Waugh, University of California-Los Angeles, will give the keynote address.  She is the author of several books on the Civil War, including The Memory of the Civil War in American Culture, Wars Within a War: Controversy and Conflict over the American Civil War, and the recently released U.S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth.

Neff said Waugh was an ideal choice to be the keynote speaker.

“Waugh has emerged in recent years as a real leading force in interpretations about Civil War memory,” he said.  “She seemed the perfect person to bring new interpretations and perspectives even though she was writing about a traditional leadership topic.”

Other speakers include Alisea Williams Mcleod, Indiana University, South Bend; Jim Downs, Connecticut College; Carole Emberton, State University of New York-Buffalo; Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai, University of Virginia; Karen A. Kehoe, St. Vincent College; Jennifer Newman Trevino, University of Texas-Pan American; Glenn W. LaFantasie, Western Kentucky University; Harry S. Laver, Southeastern Louisiana University; William B. Kurtz, University of Virginia; Timothy B. Smith, University of Tennessee at Martin; Brian Craig Miller, Emporia State University; Toby Glenn Bates, Mississippi State University-Meridian; Mark R. Cheathem, Cumberland University; and Rodney J. Steward, Auburn University.

The conference will be held in the E.F. Yerby Conference Center on the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford.  Registration is required.  The conference fee is $35 and includes lectures and reception.  Educators qualify for a reduced registration fee of $25. Teachers who wish to receive 1.3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) should include a separate $20 check made payable to The University of Mississippi.  UM students may attend free but registration is required.

For more information, visit Conference on the Civil War: Leadership. To register for the conference visit www.outreach.olemiss.edu/events/civil_war or call (662) 915-1408.  For information related to disability assistance, call (662) 915-1408.