November 06, 2007
Williams to deliver Charles D. Tenney lecture
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Rick Williams, professor emeritus of classics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will present the Charles D. Tenney distinguished lecture in the Student Center Auditorium on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
The lecture is entitled "Is Sophocles Out of Date? The Importance of Tradition in a Tradition-free Society" and will explore whether the ancient Greek dramatist's messages can still speak to a contemporary, postmodern culture. It is free to the public and will be followed by a book signing and reception in the Old Main Lounge in the Student Center.
Williams, who for 30 years served as a classics professor at SIUC, teaching Greek, Latin and classical mythology, is an expert in translating and staging classical texts, especially the plays of Sophocles. He also directed the University Honors Program for 20 years. He earned his doctorate from Cornell University, a master's degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder, and his bachelor's from the University of Texas at Austin.
The lecture is a part of the University Honors Program's Charles D. Tenney Distinguished Lecture Series. Tenney served as SIUC's vice president and provost from 1952 to 1971.