Appalachian Cultural Center announces fall events

As Carson-Newman’s campus prepares for Homecoming 2025, the University invites the public to the 16^th Annual Henrietta Jenkins Memorial Homecoming Poetry Reading on Friday, Oct. 24. Free and open to the public, the 4 p.m. event will feature acclaimed poet Dr. Thomas Alan Holmes. The event will be hosted at the Appalachian Cultural Center on campus and is one of three remaining fall events for the center.

“We are really excited for our fall program at the Appalachian Cultural Center that highlights the intersections of history, language, music, and art in our region,” said Dr. Wesley McMasters, director of the center. “We have well-established voices that will celebrate the depths, complexities, and nuances of the region, and we hope to see faces from our campus and our broader community at these wonderful cultural events.”

A member of East Tennessee State University’s English faculty, Holmes teaches courses in American literature, many focusing on his interests in Appalachian, Southern, and African American literature. His poetry has appeared in such journals as“The North American Review,” “Still: The Journal,” “The Valparaiso Review,” “The Connecticut Review,” “Louisiana Literature,” and “Appalachian Journal.” In 2022, Iris Press published his debut poetry collection, “In the Backhoe’s Shadow.”

The Henrietta Jenkins Memorial Homecoming Poetry Reading was established by 1963 Carson-Newman alumna Mary Patton Sarros in honor of her former professor. Seating is limited.

Future Appalachian Cultural Center Events:

November 5
4:30 p.m.
Appalachian Cultural Center
“Whose History in the Schools?: An Evening of Poetry with Pat Bizzaro and Resa Crane Bizzaro”

Pat Bizzaro and Resa Crane Bizzaro will present “Fog at Manassas Battlefield,” featuring Pat Bizzaro’s poetry and Resa Crane Bizzaro’s photography.

November 19
4 p.m.
Thomas Recital Hall
“A Sense of Place in Appalachia”       

This annual celebration of C-N’s international community highlights a sense of place, home and belonging through the sharing of poetry and other work.