Thomas P. Johnson Distinguished Visiting Scholars & Artists Program

2023-24 Schedule

• The Department of Music (in collaboration with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park) brings several world-renowned performing artists to campus throughout the 2023-24 academic year, including: The Eroica Trio, Mary Wilson, Stan Lynch, Ricahrd Einhorn, & Alon Goldstein.
• The Rollins Museum of Art offers public artist talks/lectures, both in-person and virtually, throughout the 2023-24 academic year, including: Dr. William Eiland, Stephanie Stebich, and more. 
• The Department of Theatre & Dance continues to work with Felichia Chivaughn (in collaboration with the Student Center for Inclusion and Belonging) on the implementation of their Anti-Racism Action Plan and the application of color-conscious and identity-conscious production principles.

Fall 2023

• The Department of Critical Media & Cultural Studies brings in-person and virtual options for the Rollins and the local community to experience The Global Peace Film Festival from September 18-October 2, 2023. 
• The Department of History in partnership with other academic departments offers a public lecture "The Great Dying: Why History Matters in Conservation," with Dr. Sandra Swart, on Thursday, October, 11th @6pm in Crummer Auditorium. Dr. Swart is a world expert on animal history and a dynamic scholar and teacher. 

• Dr. Victor Ray will present on "Critical Race Theory and the backlash against antiracist education," Thursday, October 19, at 7pm in SunTrust Auditorium. Dr. Ray is the author of On Critical Race Theory: Why It Matters and Why You Should Care (Random House, 2022). This event is sponsored by the African & African American Studies (AAAS) program and the Student Center for Inclusion and Belonging. Rollins ID required. 

Spring 2024

• The Student Center of Inclusion & Belonging in partnership with other departments brings Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, a professor, center director, and principal investigator. His expertise in scientific research centered around equity, systemic injustice and improving material condtions for our most vulnerbale populations in society has a monumenal impact. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Strayhorn for our Dr. Martin Luther King Speaker Campus Wide Presentation on January 15th, 2024 at 6:30pm in Tiedtke Concert Hall. 
• Felichia Chivaughn directs A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, which runs at the Annie Russell Theatre from February 16 – 24, 2024. The classic about a multi-generational Black family navigating through society’s prejudice, A Raisin in the Sun is arguably as well known today as it was epochal when it debuted on Broadway in 1959.
• The Department of Political Science in partnership with other academic departments offers a public forum with Former U.S. Congressman Bob Inglis (R-SC) on Feburary 5th, 2024 @Crummer Auditorium (Crummer Building-1st Floor), focused on conservative climate leadership and the impacts of his postion revresal on climate change within his party. 

• Natalie Daise and Sara Makeba will be presenting 6 events on February 27th-28. Natalie and Sara, Natalie Daise has developed and facilitated interactive learning experiences for educators, students, and audiences in schools, universities, conferences, and other venues. Events include two class discussions, two presentations at the Rollins Museum of Art about art, spirituality and Afrofuturism,  a luncheon discussion at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center and a 60-minute theatrical presentation entitled "Becoming Hariett Tubman.  These events are endorsed by the Department of Health Professions,  African American Studies, Theater and Dance, Rollins Museum of Art, Art and Art History, Critical Media and Cultural Studies, the Student Center for Inclusion and Belonging and the Program of Sexuality, Gender & Womens' Studies.  

• The Rollins Museum of Art brings Dr. Keri Watson, Associate Professor of Art History and Assistant Director of the School of Visual Arts and Design at the UCF to talk about how artists with disabilities have explored war and how art has participated in protesting global conflict. Tuesday, March 26, 6 p.m. An ASL interpreter will be present at this event. In-person attendance requires no registration. Virtual registration opens two weeks prior to the event. 
• The English and Theatre Departments in tandem with the Comparative Drama Conference will be hosting Mary Zimmerman as the conference’s Key Note guest in the Annie Russell Theatre on April 5^th at 8 p.m.  A reception will follow at Rice Pavilion.  In addition, on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. Zimmerman will conduct a plenary session with Thomas Ouellette (director) and cast members from the Rollins production of Zimmerman’s  Metamorphoses at the Downtown DoubleTree Hotel.  For more information, contact William Boles in the English Department.

• Dr. Denise Cummings will return to Rollins as a guest lecturer for “Film As Art: Florida Film Festival.”  Her extensive experience with local festivals and the range of films they showcase will be invaluable to students enrolled in the course. Members of the Rollins community are welcome to join our conversations at the Enzian Theater during the festival’s second weekend, April 19-21. Contact Dr. Paul Reich (preich@rollins.edu), Professor of Literature and Media Studies, for more information.