Brown Bag Lunch History Programs

Icons of the 20th Century

October, 2002 Series

Wednesday, October 2, 2002 12:00 Noon

“Henri Matisse: Leader in the World of Art”

Scholar: Dr. Michael DeMarsche, Director,

Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art, Auburn University

Matisse, a French painter, is considered by many as one of

three of the most influential artists of the century, and

he was also a noted sculptor, book illustrator and tapestry

designer. Matisse was the leader of the fauves, a group

of painters who started the first important art movement

of the era. He believed that a painting was more important

as an object of art that as a representation of reality.

Wednesday, October 9, 2002 12:00 Noon

“William (Billy) Franklin Graham: Evangelist, Businessman, and Spiritual Advisor

to Presidents”

Scholar: Dr. David Ed. Harrell

Professor of History, Auburn University

Billy Graham, born on a farm, dreamed of playing baseball.

At sixteen years of age, he was converted at a revival

meeting and his ambitions turned from baseball to

preaching. Ordained a Southern Baptist in 1939, Graham

went on to launch nationwide evangelistic campaigns

and then international revivals. He used modern

communications to reach vast audiences, modern

business arrangements to handle his ministry, and

gained the confidence of millions of people including

both Democratic and Republican presidents.

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 12:00 Noon

“Harry S. Truman: President During Conflict & Crisis”

Scholar: Dr. Leah Rawls Atkins

Director Emeriti of the Center for the Arts &

Humanities at Auburn University

Truman served during one of the most critical times in

American history. He dealt with World War II and its

aftermath: the economic chaos of returning to a peacetime

economy, the rebuilding of Europe, the Cold War, and the

aggression of North Korea. Truman’s outspoken manner

and wit earned him loyal friends and bitter enemies, but he

became an icon of the 20th Century by meeting the

challenge of the Presidency with courage, determination

and imagination.

Wednesday, October 23, 2002 12:00 Noon

“Neil Armstrong: First Man on the Moon”

Scholar: Dr. James Hansen

Professor of History, Auburn University

Neil Armstrong was one of the first United States

astronauts and the first human to set foot on the moon.

Armstrong was the commander of the Apollo II programs,

which carried out the moon landing in 1969. Since that

momentous occasion, the astronaut has been a combat

pilot, test pilot, professor, businessman, and

presidential adviser.

Wednesday, October 30, 2002 12:00 Noon

“Elvis Aaron Presley: King of Rock & Roll”

Scholar Dr. Hardy Jackson, III

Head of History and Foreign Languages,

Jacksonville State University

Elvis Presley first sang in a church choir, taught himself to

play the guitar, and never learned to read music. By 1955,

he had achieved national fame as a singer and performer.

Presley combined country and western with rhythm and

blues into a more emotional “rock and roll.” This

new sound swept the nation, grew into a

national mania.