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WestConn’s Kathwari Honors Program to host public events

Kathwari Spring Seminars graphic

Kathwari Spring Seminars graphicDANBURY, Connecticut — The Kathwari Honors Program at Western Connecticut State University will host the Kathwari Spring Seminars in February and March 2025 with appearances by National Book Award-winning poet Martín Espada, multiple WestConn faculty members and students, and Dr. Khalid Long from Howard University. All events are open to the public.

Exploring the theme “Do the Right Thing,” the series will begin on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Greenwood Features, 269 Greenwood Ave. in Bethel, with a screening of Spike Lee’s classic film about racialized tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood followed by a panel discussion. The series will include multiple lectures and panel discussions on elements of the film itself as well as on contemporary issues in which individuals and communities have moral and ethical decisions to make.

Released 35 years ago, “Do the Right Thing” revolves around issues and conflicts that remain current in American culture. A panel discussion and audience Q&A will follow the screening, featuring WCSU Director of Inclusion and Belonging Joshua Sumrell, Prof. Qur-an Webb of the WCSU Department of Social Work, Dr. Carina Bandhauer of the WCSU Department of Social Sciences, and WestConn student leader Gabriela Torres.

On Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., Dr. Khalid Long from Howard University, along with Dr. Donald Gagnon of the WCSU Department of Theatre Arts, will discuss Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis and their legacies in American Black Theatre, American film, and civil rights. This will be in Room 125 of the Science Building on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.

On Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., Dr. Haneef Nelson of the WCSU Department of Music will discuss “Jazz, Hiphop, and Do the Right Thing” in Room 125 of the Science Building on the Midtown campus.

On Monday, March 3, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., four WestConn professors will discuss contemporary ethical quandaries from a variety of disciplinary perspectives in “What’s Right Right Now?” with Dr. Anna Malavisi (History, Philosophy, and World Perspectives), Dr. Robert Whittemore (Social Sciences), Dr. Mitch Wagener (Biology), and Dr. Averell Manes (Emeritx, Social Sciences) in Room 125 of the Science Building on the Midtown campus.

On Monday, March 31, 2025, at 7 pm, National Book Award-winning poet Martín Espada will give the debut reading from his new book of poems, “Jailbreak of Sparrows.” A book signing will follow. Both the reading and book signing will be in Room 218, President’s Reception Room, in the Classroom Building on the Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury.

For more information, contact Dr. Brian Clements, Director of the Kathwari Honors Program, at (203) 837-9501 or email Communications and Marketing at pr@wcsu.edu.

 

 

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.