WSCC Humankind series to focus on British Isles. 

WSCC Humankind series to focus on British Isles. 

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — Now in its fourth year, West Shore Community College kicks off its 2020 – 21 Humankind Series with two presentations on Monday, Sept. 21, by distinguished scholar, Dr. Alan Gallay, on the life of Sir Walter Raleigh: one at 12:30 p.m. and the other at 7 p.m.

Gallay’s presentations, like all humankind events this fall, will be hosted live on video conferencing platform Zoom.

Humankind is a multi-disciplinary public education series that consists of lectures, workshops, art exhibits, film viewings, and more.

Each year humankind explores the question “what does it mean to be human?” in a different geographical location across the globe. Last year, Humankind focused on Cuba. This academic year the fourth annual series focuses on the British Isles of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Professor Gallay holds the Lyndon B. Johnson Chair in American History at Texas Christian University. He has twice been the recipient of year-long research fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, a Mellon Faculty Fellow in the Humanities at Harvard University, and served as a United States Fulbright Lecturer to New Zealand. Gallay is the author and editor of seven published books, the most recent of which is Walter Raleigh: Architect of Empire.

The format for Gallay’s presentations will consist of WSCC Professor of History, Mike Nagle, interviewing Gallay, followed by time for questions from the audience.

“Professor Gallay is going to really bring to life the story and accomplishments of Sir Walter Raleigh,” said Professor Nagle. “You will learn about the founding of Ireland, England’s ‘Lost Colony’ of Roanoke, as well as the search for El Dorado, the legendary city of gold. Dr. Gallay’s presentation will be required viewing especially for anyone interested in the history of the British Empire and its early colonization efforts.”

Professor Nagle said he is particularly excited for Gallay to be part of this year’s Humankind series because Gallay was one of Nagle’s professors at Western Washington University where he earned both his bachelors and master’s degrees. “Dr. Gallay not only knows his stuff but he’s also an outstanding speaker,” said Nagle. “He certainly played a formative role in igniting my passion for the study of history and I’m excited our community will now get to experience him as well.”

To learn more about humankind, visit http://humankindwscc.org/ or contact series chair Dr. Matthew Sanderson at mwsanderson@westshore.edu.