The first Dr. Robert Milton Young Memorial Lecture in African American Literary and Cultural Theory will be tonight at 5 in Room 205 of Gorgas Library. The lecture will honor Young, who passed away last year. The event is intended to be annual.
“[The idea of the lecture series] came out of a conversation that Catherine Davies and I were having right after Robert Young passed away about how to honor him and how best to do that,” said Yolanda Manora, associate professor in the English department. “It seemed absolutely appropriate to recognize this man who was so fiercely engaged in the life of the mind and in his work that was scholarly, but had really significant social implications. I was delighted that our chair thought of this as a fitting way to honor him and to celebrate his life and his work.”
Catherine Davies, chair of the English department, said in an e-mailed statement, “We were broken-hearted at the loss of Dr. Young last year, and it seems like a very appropriate response to create an annual lecture that will perpetuate, in this new format, Dr. Young’s gift for teaching about literature in relation to complex ideas of race and social class. Our intent with the lecture series is to engage students (both undergraduate and graduate), faculty, and also interested members of the community with speakers who will help them to understand how literature, through the lens of African American literary and cultural theory, can illuminate their own lives in a social context.”
Dr. Vincent Odamtten will be the speaker of the lecture, which is titled “The Pleasures of Influence and Reciprocity.”
“We thought it would be a nice way to begin this lecture series to have the first year feature a speaker who actually knew [Young] and played such a critical role in his scholarly life,” Manora said. “We’re really delighted to have Dr. Odamtten join us because he is that person.”
Odamtten is an English professor at Hamilton College in New York, Young’s home state and where he earned his college degrees. Odamteen was one of Young’s professors and mentor during his studies.
“I am absolutely thrilled. Robert [Young] was a dear student, colleague and friend who loved what he did and did it well,” Odamtten said in an emailed statement. “I am very happy that his colleagues, friends and UA has recognized his contribution to the field by this singular honor. I am humbled to be the inaugural speaker at this occasion, especially since Professor Young was an exceptional teacher and scholar. Ultimately, I hope that I might convey a sense of what he meant to me; however opaquely.”
Young came to the University in 1997 and began teaching courses in African-American literature and literary theory. From 2004-2007 he served as a Distinguished Teaching Fellow.
The English department is hosting the lecture, which is also sponsored by The College of Arts and Sciences, the Arts and Sciences Diversity Committee, the Office of Community Affairs, the department of gender and race studies and New College.
“I can only hope that my presentation will be the first of many more to come, and that some of the many students whom Professor Young has taught, might also be invited to give future Robert Milton Young Memorial Lectures,” Odamtten said.
Manora and Davies both hope to broaden the honoring of Young in the future with something such as a miniature conference.
There will be a book signing and reception following the lecture. The event is open to the public.
If You Go
What: First annual Robert Milton Young Memorial Lecture featuring Dr. Vincent Odamtten.
When: Tonight at 5
Where: Gorgas Library Room 205
