CSC to host Sandoz Symposium Sept. 28-30

The Pilster Great Plains Lecture, which is free and open to the public, by Dr. Andrew Graybill will be Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center. He is a Professor and Director of the Clements Center for Southwest Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Graybill, who taught at the University of Nebraska for eight years, is the author or editor of four books.

Registration for the symposium organized by the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society is available online until Sept. 15. More details are available by emailing info@marisandoz.org.

The Mari Sandoz Symposium begins Sept. 29 and the schedule includes presentations and panel discussions. The original luncheon speaker who withdrew due to illness has been replaced by Donovin Sprague of Sheridan, Wyoming. His presentation "The Battle of Greasy Grass" will explore the historic battle commonly known as the Battle of Little Bighorn, from a Lakota perspective. Sprague will also discuss the new visitor center being constructed at the Little Bighorn National Battlefield National Monument and the recent acquisition of land within the National Monument by Native American tribes.

CSC faculty members serving as presenters and panelists include Dr. Matt Evertson, Dr. Teresa Frink, Dr. Mary Clai Jones, Markus Jones, Steve Rolfsmeier, and Dr. Mike Leite.

The panel discussion by Mary Clai and Markus Jones and Evertson will discuss teaching about the High Plains. Mary Clai Jones will discuss ways she has encouraged her students to engage with primary resources in the Sandoz Center archives. Evertson and Markus Jones will discuss how they have integrated elements of High Plains literary motifs into their literature and creative writing courses.

During a panel discussion about the climate, flora, and fauna of the High Plains, Leite will lend expert comments about climate, land, and water. Rolfsmeier will talk about unique High Plains flora with emphasis on relict floras that occur as islands within the region, while Frink will discuss mammals.

CSC alum and Chadron resident Christine Ambrose will participate in a panel about preserving local history with Panhandle residents Phyllis Krotz and Harlan Wheeler. CSC alum Broc Anderson of Kearney will moderate the panel.

Friday afternoon options for attendees will include a tour of the High Plains Herbarium with Rolfsmeier.