Robert Hemenway, chancellor of the University of Kansas and expert on author Zora Neale Hurston, visited Washington College Monday, February 26, 2001 to give a lecture on "The Small Literary Magazines of Zora Neale Hurston and the Harlem Renaissance." His lecture took place in the Sophie Kerr room of the Miller Library and was well attended by both students and faculty.
The event was organized and planned by Professor Bob Day and sponsored by the Sophie Kerr Committee and the Center for the Study of Black Culture.
Junior and Center director Penny Tilghman said, "When Professor Day asked the Center to sponsor the Hemenway lecture, I jumped at the chance.
Hemenway is the leading scholar of Zora Neale Hurston. His scholarly analysis has yet to be challenged and matched."Hemenway's lecture focused mostly on the life and personality of Hurston, an author whom he described as "charismatic, unusual ... clearly a genius."
Hemenway began his studies on Hurston after reading her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. Said Hemenway, "I became interested in her work and one thing sort of lead to another. She was a fascinating person and led such a full life."
Hemenway's biography of Zora Neale Hurston, entitled Zora Neale Hurston: A Literary Biography, won a number of awards and was listed by the New York Times among its "Best Books of 1978." In 1991, a reprinting was included as a Quality Paperback Book Club selection.
The Black Student Union (BSU) was involved in hosting Hemenway's talk as well. Jennifer Walker, president of the BSU, said, "Bringing Hemenway to Washington College was another attempt to educate the campus on African American achievements."
Tilghman agreed: "I hope that the students were able to broaden their perspective on black life in general, and more specifically black writers of the Harlem Renaissance."
Although the talk focused mostly on Hurston's striking personality, Hemenway also addressed Hurston's literary magazine, entitled Fire.
"I've been asked to speak about the literary magazines of the Harlem Renaissance," he informed his audience. "I think that's because Bob Day likes little magazines."
In addition to the lecture, a luncheon was also sponsored by the Center for the Study of Black Culture. Tilghman explained, "The luncheon was a chance for students to mingle with Mr. Hemenway, which was a wonderful idea."
Over thirty guests, including both faculty and students, were invited to the O'Neill Literary House for a luncheon with Mr. Hemenway. Several hours later, the lecture took place in the Miller Library.
Tilghman said of the events, "I feel that there was a great turnout to the luncheon and the lecture. It was certainly an honor to have Hemenway speak on our campus."
Hemenway was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and was raised in Iowa and Nebraska.
He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and his doctorate in English from Kent State University in Ohio at age 24. He has served as chancellor of the University of Kansas since 1995."The University of Kansas is a beautiful university with a lovely campus," he said, "It's a lot like Washington College, actually."
Hemenway's admiration of Hurston is quite obvious. He regards her as "clearly one of the finest writers of the 20th century."
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