Megan K Nelson, lecturer at Harvard University, lectures for Kansas Civil War enthusiasts Tuesday evening in Webb Hall. Megan obtained a PhD in American studies and is an environmental historian. Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin
Megan Kate Nelson, a Harvard professor and Civil War historian, gave a lecture on Tuesday from her latest book “A Man Among Ruins: Charles F. Morse Encounters Wartime Destruction 1861-1865.”
The lecture, held in Webb Hall, was part of the Boertman lectures, in honor of long-time Emporia State professor C. Stewart Boertman, who taught for 41 years. The lecture was co-sponsored by the Social Science department and the Lyon County Historical Society.
“My lecture uses the experiences of Charles F. Morse as a window into Civil War destruction because he fought during the entire course of the war. He was in multiple theaters and encountered the ruin of cities, houses and forests and the bodies of man,” Nelson said. “So instead of giving you an overview or talking about ruins generally, I wanted to bring it down to that one individual’s experience because I think those kinds of stories are more compelling to tell and listen to.”
Brian Miller, assistant professor of social sciences, said Nelson’s work, in many ways, brings fresh insights into thinking differently about the Civil War.
“I think that the history of Civil War environments and the history also of the body in the Civil War are really new fields and the people who are working in them are on the cutting edge of Civil War history, sort of pushing the boundaries of what we actually know and can know,” Nelson said.
There were several reasons why she chose Charles F. Morse as her window. Nelson had a complete set of his letters. He had really good penmanship, and his sketches and views of the environment, both natural and manmade, interested her. She was also interested in the fact that he was a soldier.
“She definitely put a new view on the Civil War,” said Jessica Goertzan, sophomore psychology major. “I think her idea of the different types of ruin were very insightful and made me think about the war in a new light, not just as a series of battles, but about everything, that war destroys homes, cities, the environment and, of course, the people involved.”
Ashley Washington, junior communication major, said that Nelson was a great speaker and she liked how Nelson zoomed in on the life of a particular soldier.
Nelson’s book is available in the Memorial Union Bookstore. There are a limited amount of signed copies.
Khaili Scarbrough
GOV. PERRY ANNOUNCES CREATION OF INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED CANCER SCIENCE AT MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
US Fed News Service, Including US State News November 30, 2011 AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 28 — Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, issued the following press release:
Gov. Rick Perry announced the creation of the Institute for Applied Cancer Science at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, which will help scientific discoveries become viable therapies.
“In Texas, we’ve had our sights set on wiping out cancer for quite some time, and this new institute brings us one step closer to destroying it in our lifetime,” Gov. Perry said. “The Institute for Applied Cancer Science will provide us with a better understanding of cancer, and will give researchers and scientists the ability to take promising new drugs from the laboratory to the doctor’s office.” “The Institute for Applied Cancer Science will exploit the enormous opportunities provided by recent truly transformative scientific and technological advances to improve the appallingly low rate of success in the nation’s current cancer drug development system,” Ronald DePinho, M. website md anderson cancer center
D., president of MD Anderson, said.
The Institute for Applied Cancer Science will bring together top researchers and scientists with expertise in clinical trials, cancer genomics, cancer biology and cancer drug discovery and pharmacology. Scientists will focus on research, drug discovery and translational medicine, integrating academic and pharmaceutical science to develop innovative medicines. website md anderson cancer center
In 2007, the governor led an initiative to help make Texas the home for the next wave of treatments combating cancer, which resulted in the creation of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). Voters approved bonds to fund the institute for more than 10 years, enabling the state to finance research grant awards and attract top researchers. CPRIT has funded 350 awards for cancer research, commercialization and prevention since 2010, totaling more than $570 million. Together with matching funds obligated by grant recipients, more than $800 million has been invested in cancer research.
Texas is also working to attract world-class researchers through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF), created at Gov. Perry’s request. To date, the state has invested nearly $178 million in grant-matching and research superiority funds to Texas universities, which has helped attract some of the top researchers in their respective fields. Through CPRIT and TETF, Texas has attracted many of the best scientists from around the world and put them to work on projects that will improve our communities, cure diseases and save lives.
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The article is truly not just educative but as well as interesting. I like reading and hearing news about war not because I wanted to know how many cities and people were ruined but rather the lesson it gave. Yet, with that book another lesson will be taught.