Well-known Author Takes CWU Students on Historical Journey

October 12, 2007

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- Nationally renowned author and historian of the American West, Dr. Patricia Limerick, kicks off the third annual Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series with a free public lecture Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Building Concert Hall. Most recognized for her book, The Legacy of Conquest, Limerick will focus on the question: "Can historians be of help to their fellow human-beings?"

Limerick plans to answer that question by discussing legislative efforts for the cleanup of abandoned mines to the production of a film comparing the adoption of fossil fuels during the Industrial Revolution to renewable energies today. Limerick's talks are spiced with anecdotes from personal experience, limericks and self-deprecating humor.

Limerick's work has been called controversial because she challenges, in her words, "old-moded, outdated" categorizations of the West. Her work has fueled both academic and public debate on issues including women, minorities and the environment.

Limerick, author of numerous books on Western history, director of the Center of the American West, and recipient of the coveted MacArthur "genius grant" in 1995, believes that in charting the wisest course for the West's future we need to take a good look at the West's past. Her work often cites hypocrisy, stereotyping and nostalgia as key causes that undermine the Western quest to find realistic solutions to growing energy demands.

The theme for this year's Presidential Speaker Series, in its seventh year, is "Lessons from History." CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre, herself an historian, says, "We must draw a distinction between history as past reality, or what actually happened in the past; and history as historical interpretation reconstructed from evidence that remains in the past."

Patricia Limerick is one of three distinguished speakers in this year's lineup. On January 10, 2008, Joseph Esherick, a specialist on modern China will speak. On April 8, 2008 Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns will take the stage at Central to share his perspective on historical interpretation through film. Along with distinguished speakers, Central will also play host to concerts by the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Scotland's Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas and Sweet Honey in the Rock, as well as performances by Central Theatre Ensemble and several groups from Central's Department of Music.

Tickets are available at www.cwu.edu/president/series, the Student Union box office or 509-963-1976.

Contact: Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416.

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state.