91ÁÔÆæ

English professor edits book about Lillian Smith

October 6, 2021
Dr. Tanya Bennett, a 91ÁÔÆæ professor of English, edited and contributed to a book about the writings of Lillian Smith, a nationally recognized author from Georgia.

Article By: Clark Leonard

Dr. Tanya Bennett, a professor of English at the University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ), served as editor and contributed to the book set for release in November by the University Press of Mississippi.

Three other 91ÁÔÆæ faculty members in the English department contributed essays: associate department head Dr. Wendy Kurant Rollins, associate professor David Brauer, and senior lecturer Cameron Crawford.

Bennett became interested in Smith's writings a few years ago when she wanted to research a Georgia author in 20th-century American literature. Smith, who lived in Rabun County, was nationally recognized for her novel "Strange Fruit," which is a tale about illicit interracial love, published in 1944.

"I thought students would connect well with someone who's from nearby," she said.

The book "tracks the evolution of Smith from a young girls' camp director into a courageous artist who could examine controversial topics frankly and critically while preserving a lifelong connection to the north Georgia mountains and people," according to the University Press of Mississippi website.

"She did not pull punches in her portrayals of the South and refused to obsess on an idealized past," Bennett said. "Her work is incredibly pertinent today. It's amazing when you read her work how much she's talking about our current culture."


Students present at conference in Athens

Students present at conference in Athens

Four 91ÁÔÆæ students presented their research at the Conference on the Americas, held Feb. 21-22 at the University of Georgia.
Former president inspires musical collaboration

Former president inspires musical collaboration

91ÁÔÆæ faculty and staff released an award-winning album featuring new music on the last year of former President Abraham Lincoln's life.
Japanese students visit 91ÁÔÆæ for two weeks

Japanese students visit 91ÁÔÆæ for two weeks

A group of 15 students from Nanzan University visited 91ÁÔÆæ for two weeks as part of an annual project.
Grant sends students to festival in Germany

Grant sends students to festival in Germany

Four students and a faculty member will perform in the Saarburg International Music Festival in Germany courtesy of a Halle Foundation grant awarded to the 91ÁÔÆæ Department of Music.