CEA CONFERENCE SPEAKERS & SPECIAL EVENTS

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Our Plenary Speaker is Claudio Saunt, the Richard B. Russell Professor in American History and Co-Director of the Center for Virtual History at the University of Georgia. He is the author of four books, most recently, Unworthy Republic (2020), which was a finalist for the National Book Award. Dr. Saunt’s current project, "The Land Beneath Our Feet," maps in depth and detail the Cherokee families who lost their homes in the 1830s, creating a virtual representation of the Cherokee Nation just before the United States drove its sixteen thousand citizens off their farms and across the Mississippi River.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 5:00-6:00 PM 

Come to the Women’s Connection Luncheon to meet  Morna Gerrard, the archivist for Women’s/Gender and Sexuality Collections at Georgia State University. She is a fellow and past president of the Society of Georgia Archivists, a long-time board member of the Georgia Archives Institute, and serves on the advisory board of the Historic Atlanta LGBTQ HPAC. Gerrard's work concerning community engagement was featured in Innovative Practices edited by Kate Theimer and the summer 2014 edition of Archival Issues. Among her other  published works are chapters, “No Fame Required: Collaboration, Community, and the Georgia LGBTQ Archives Project,” in Appraisal and Acquisition: Innovative Practices and Special Collections, “Silenced Voices Lesson Plan” and “Exploring Gender Roles in Society, Literature and Film,” in Gender Studies in the Library: Case Studies, Programming, Outreach.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 12:00-1:15 PM

Diversity Reception speaker Antar K. Fierce is a Graffiti Style Writer, Teaching Artist, Hip Hop Historian, and Training Instructor. He was born and raised in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn New York in 1971. When Hip Hop was coming into its own in the late 1970s, Fierce was there to experience and witness it as it swept in from uptown. In 1985, Fierce took an interest in the elaborate highly stylized writings on the New York City subway and began documenting, collecting, and archiving it. In 2015, he and four friends co-founded the Right Track Program, an educational organization that uses the traditional Hip Hop disciplines to inspire creativity for learners of all ages. His goal is to advance the idea that creativity, art, and technology can work together to include authentic learning and equity and ensure the educational experiences that allow all people to thrive.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 4:30-5:30PM

Speaking at the All-Conference Luncheon will be Chelsea Rathburn, Georgia’s Poet Laureate. Professor Rathburn is the author of three full-length poetry collections, including Still Life with Mother and Knife (2019), a New York Times “New & Noteworthy” book. Her first full-length collection, The Shifting Line (2005), won the 2005 Richard Wilbur Award. Professor Rathburn’s poems have appeared in Poetry, The Atlantic Monthly, The New Republic, The Southern Review, New England Review and the Academy of American Poets’ Poem-a-Day series.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 12:00-1:30PM 

The event everyone loves (and not just for the FREE DRINK ticket and fabulous fare!). The President's Reception is a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Meet the CEA officers and Board and perhaps toss your name into the mix to join a committee. The perfect ending to DAY 1 of CEA and warm-up for DAYS 2 and 3!

THURSDAY, MARCH 21 6PM (RIGHT AFTER THE PLENARY!)

Come learn about opportunites with CEA's regional affiliates and allied organizations. Enjoy breakfast with officers from our partner groups and meet CEA's out-going national coordinator of affiliates, the wonderful Linda Di Desidero. Preregistration is required.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22 7:45-8:45 AM

Want to be more involved in the College English Association? Join us to learn about the work of CEA from publishing, committees of the Board, and conference organization. There will be snacks!

FRIDAY, MARCH 22 8:00-8:45 AM

At the Open Business Meeting the CEA Executive Board shares exicitng news, big plans, and some boring stuff with our members. The meeting is also an opportunity for members to share their thoughts and insights. 

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 5:30-6:30PM 

The Peace Breakfast is an informal gathering of CEA members who are interested in issues of peace and social justice. If you share their interest or simply meet congenial souls for a meal, join this group for breakfast. Meet at The Corner Bakery, across from the Westin. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 7:45AM