The University of West Georgia Culture Lab, which replaces and expands the activities of the former School of the Arts (SOTA), and the Murphy Center for Public Service, is pleased to announce a talk by political scientist Dr. Keith Gaddie, entitled, “College Football: Why It Just Means More,” on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom.
Perhaps nowhere else in the country does college football possess the cultural power it does in the South, and Gaddie is in a most unique position to weigh in on this phenomenon. Having graduated from both Florida State University and the University of Georgia, Gaddie went on to a distinguished career at the University of Oklahoma as a professor, chair and senior fellow. Presently he serves as Hoffman Chair of the American Ideal at Texas Christian University, meaning that he has, at one time or another, rooted for the Seminoles, the Bulldogs, the Sooners and the Horned Frogs.
Gaddie will discuss why, in fact, he believes that college football just means more, a subject that holds special import given UWG’s current situation vis-a-vis the NCAA.
UWG’s particular context was not lost on Dr. Chad Davidson, executive director of cultural programming.
“We knew that with the university’s move in July to Division I athletics, a talk like this would carry great interest to both the campus and communities around it,” said Davidson. “It’s the right time for us to host a charismatic and decorated scholar and college-football expert.”
The tailgating-themed reception—including Printer’s Ale own UWG-themed Red & Blue Brew—starts at 5 p.m., with Gaddie’s lecture at 6 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom 108. The event is jointly sponsored by the Sewell Lecture Series and the Murphy Center Distinguished Lecture Series, without whose generous support events like this would not take place.
