NC Literary and Historical Association

On November 13-14, 2009, the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association (an agency of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History) held its 109th annual meeting in New Bern, NC. The meeting theme was "New Bern's Tri-centennial: A Literary and Historical Feast" and featured tours of Tryon Palace Sites and Gardens and presentations on a variety of topics.

Out-going association president and ECU English faculty member Margaret Bauer presided at the business meeting and at the Awards Dinner that concluded the event. The dinner's Keats and Elizabeth Sparrow Keynote Address was given by David Cecelski, who had been Harriot College's 2000-2001 Whichard Chair in the Humanities.

Following the address was the announcement of awards that included the Roanoke-Chowan Award for Poetry presented by Liza Wieland to Pat Riviere-Seel. Bauer introduced the Hardee-Rives Dramatic Arts Award, endowed by Ralph Hardee Rives, emeritus faculty member of the ECU English Department and long-time cultural force in North Carolina literary and historical circles. Dr. Rives captivated the audience with his remarks in which he talked about the foundational role of literature and the world of imagination in his own life and his particular memories of North Carolina's rich dramatic heritage. About the award which he endowed, he said, "I desire, most of all, that the Hardee-Rives Award recognize those individuals and theatrical organizations who not only have contributed to the development of drama within North Carolina but also those whose talents and influence have extended beyond the border of this state." The first recipient is Bo Thorpe, artistic director of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Initial program development and logistical arrangements were the responsibility of Lorraine Hale Robinson since February. She also hosted a late-evening champagne gala celebrating Rives, Thorpe, and Bauer.

			From the Chair \| In Print \| Panels & Presentations \| Awards & Appointments \| Miscellany \| From the Editor English Faculty Help Host the Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association in New Bern, NC by Loraine Hale Robinson On November 13-14, 2009, the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association (an agency of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History) held its 109th annual meeting in New Bern, NC. The meeting theme was "New Bern's Tri-centennial: A Literary and Historical Feast" and featured tours of Tryon Palace Sites and Gardens and presentations on a variety of topics. Out-going association president and ECU English faculty member Margaret Bauer presided at the business meeting and at the Awards Dinner that concluded the event. The dinner's Keats and Elizabeth Sparrow Keynote Address was given by David Cecelski, who had been Harriot College's 2000-2001 Whichard Chair in the Humanities. Following the address was the announcement of awards that included the Roanoke-Chowan Award for Poetry presented by Liza Wieland to Pat Riviere-Seel. Bauer introduced the Hardee-Rives Dramatic Arts Award, endowed by Ralph Hardee Rives, emeritus faculty member of the ECU English Department and long-time cultural force in North Carolina literary and historical circles. Dr. Rives captivated the audience with his remarks in which he talked about the foundational role of literature and the world of imagination in his own life and his particular memories of North Carolina's rich dramatic heritage. About the award which he endowed, he said, "I desire, most of all, that the Hardee-Rives Award recognize those individuals and theatrical organizations who not only have contributed to the development of drama within North Carolina but also those whose talents and influence have extended beyond the border of this state." The first recipient is Bo Thorpe, artistic director of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Initial program development and logistical arrangements were the responsibility of Lorraine Hale Robinson since February. She also hosted a late-evening champagne gala celebrating Rives, Thorpe, and Bauer. Significantly absent was W. Keats Sparrow whose untimely death on November 11 (just a few days prior to the event) was marked with a moment of silence in thanksgiving for his numerous contributions to the Literary and Historical Association and to the widest cultural life of our state. [ Back to TCR ]