Sandoz Conference to discuss Nebraska authors

As the title suggests, the conference will focus on famous Nebraska authors besides Sandoz. They include Wright Morris, Bess Streeter Aldrich, Willa Cather and John Neihardt.

One of the features of the conference will be a photographic display of Morris' works in the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center at CSC. For more than a half century beginning in the late 1930s, Morris was a chronicler of the American experience in literary narratives and photographs.

A native of Central City, Neb., Morris was well-known for his photo-texts in which he wrote stories to go with the photos he had taken. His cousin, Phyllis McCain, will discuss Morris' photos beginning at 1:30 p.m. on March 26 to open the conference.

The conference's keynote speaker will be Joseph Wydeven, former dean of arts and sciences at Bellevue University and a long-time Morris scholar. His presentation at 7:30 p.m. on March 26 will be open to the public without charge.

The following day, several speakers will discuss similarities and factors that influenced the various authors who are being studied.

Registration forms and information about the conference may be obtained by contacting the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center at Chadron State or by going to www.marisandoz.com on the Internet.