Wittenberg series includes writers, artists

“It enriches what we do in the classroom and supports that and the education of our students,” he said.

The series began in 1982 as a way for the university to show its appreciation to the community, said Georges, professor of theatre and dance at Wittenberg. The events are all free and open to the public.

“It’s also a way for Wittenberg and Springfield and the region to come together for events and to form a community,” he said.

This year’s series kicks off with Wittenberg’s annual opening convocation and the inauguration of its new president, Laurie Joyner, at 3 p.m. Sept. 6 at Weaver Chapel. The rest of the series is:

• Sept. 27 — Writer, playwright and poet Nick Flynn discusses his work that has appeared in The New Yorker, The Paris Review and NPR’s This American Life.

• Oct. 9 to 10 — Documentary filmmaker Lee Hirsch talks about his latest work, “Bully.”

• Oct. 25 — Historian and Pulitzer Prize winner David Levering-Lewis, discusses his two-volume biography of W.E.B. Dubois.

• Oct. 28 — The Festival Choral Eucharist for Reformation gives thanks in worship, song and the preached word.

• Oct. 31 — Mark R. Schwehn, provost, executive vice president for academic affairs and professor of humanities at Valparaiso University, discusses religion and higher learning.

• Nov. 15 — Journalist Gwen Ifill is a senior correspondent for PBS’ NEWSHOUR and managing editor of Washington Week.

• Dec. 7 — Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas, beginning with the service of light for evening prayer and featuring performance by Wittenberg’s music ensembles.

• Jan. 21 — Activist and author Peniel Joseph, a professor at Tufts University, speaks at the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. He is the founder of a growing subfield in American history and Africana studies characterized as “Black Power Studies.”

• Feb. 8 — Doug Varone and Dancers performs. Admission is free but tickets are required and may be picked up at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.

• March 19 — The American Brass Quintet, considered an icon in the brass world, performs.

• April 9 — Geoscientist Richard Alley is the author of “Earth: The Operator’s Manual” and host of the PBS documentary of the same name.