*Speakers for our Spring 2024 Event Series are funded by a generous contribution by Walla Walla Community College's Student Government Association, the Walla Walla Community College Foundation, Humanities Washington and, of course, our faculty, staff, and students. Thank you.
WWCC Libraries promote connection, community, and the sharing of diverse ideas and knowledge. The OutLoud series intends to spark curiosity, collegiality, and bring engaging conversation to both our WWCC and wider communities.
Any questions? Interested in Presenting? Please contact: Jacquelyn Ray, Library Director
Marleen Ramsey & Lola Bloom
April 11 12:15PM- 1:30 PM
My Mother Told Me Stories
About the Author:
I.M. Ramsey has worked in a variety of roles in counseling, teaching, and administration at the collegiate level and feels very fortunate to have spent her entire professional career in academia. She retired in December of 2017 from teaching and her position as Vice President of Instruction (VPI), Chief Academic Officer (CAO) at Walla Walla Community College. Her primary research interest has focused on the impact of empathy and forgiveness and the relational dynamics between perpetrators and those who extend forgiveness to them.
My Mother Told Me Stories, is her first novel with the story based upon the themes found in her South African research of apartheid political perpetrators who received empathy and forgiveness from family members of their victims.
I.M. Ramsey lives in Washington State and enjoys spending time with her husband, their daughters, sons-in-law, and three grandsons, a.k.a. “the three scampering squirrels.”
Anyla Dior McDonald
April 18 12:15PM- 1:30 PM
Black Joy & Black Tribulations
About the Author:
Anyla is a 18 year old self published book author, journalist, essayist, short story writer, and poet. Her book “Black joy & black tribulations” is intended to empower and encourage others to love and celebrate their blackness. It is inspired by black history month and her personal experiences of living in a predominantly white town. It is centered around Black joy, Black Trauma, and Black Excellence.
You can see her other readings on other platforms such as tumbleweird, Tayloredlivingmagazine, Walla Walla union Bulletin, Tri-city Herald, Yakima Herald, Waitsburgtimes, and spokesmanreview. Objective: Today, she will be reading her short story “The new black girl in school” and “Harmonious Black joy”.
Her short story “The new black girl in school” includes the degrading comments that were said to her as a result of her being the only black girl in her class. But also how show stood her ground and prevailed from it. Her short story “Harmonious Black joy” details the black dances, black foods, and black songs that help her stay connected to her culture while living in a white town. She will ask questions that resonates with you all and give you all a safe space to be heard.
Jeremiah Burt and Lisa Rasmussen
April 25th, 12:15PM- 1:30 PM
Greek Mythology, Tech, and the Arts!
Jeremiah Burt currently serves as the Department Chair for the Humanities with Walla Walla Community College. Jeremiah has an extensive background in teaching, literature, and theatre productions.
Lisa Rasmussen has been a full- time employee with Walla Walla Community College since the year 2000. Prior to that, she served have been a part time employee since 1980! Known for her incredible contributions to the Art Department, Lisa's lengthy contributions to WWCC include teaching the theatre department. Lisa has done every possible job onstage and off, Acting, Directing, Play Writing, Designing and making costumes, props, scenery, designing and running lighting and sound as well as designing posters and doing photography for the programs!
John Remington & Rodney Outlaw
May 02, 12:15PM- 1:30 PM
Songs to Live By
Optional Open Mic to follow
John Remington, a native of Eastern Oregon, has now taught for 34 years at the high school and college levels. Married for 35 years, father of two and a grandfather, John lives near the foothills of The Blue Mountains on the Umatilla River. Besides teaching, John has worn many hats: farm worker, construction worker, video store clerk night stocker at Walmart, juvenile corrections floor team member, film production assistant, lumber mill worker, industrial painter, actor, director, and playwright.
Rodney Outlaw is an educator, recording artist, author, and leader in the non-profit community in Walla Walla. Through his, commitment to education, his work as the Executive Director of the Walla Walla Music Organization and co-founder of the Running Waters Equity fund, Rodney works to create spaces and experiences where individuals and communities flourish.
Dr. Itohan M. Idumwonyi
May 09, 12:15PM- 1:30 PM
Ubuntu: How an Ancient African Concept
Can Help Human Flourishing
(she/her) Is assistant professor of religious studies at Gonzaga University. She earned her PhD in religious studies from Rice University, Houston. Idumwonyi has authored several works, including the most recent, Crashed Realities?: Gender Dynamics in Nigerian Pentecostalism. The pillars of her interdisciplinary scholarship intersect with African religions, African diaspora religions, African studies, sociology of religion, African womanist theology, religion, and gender. She is a Smithsonian Global Religions of Africa Speaker.
Idumwonyi lives in Spokane.
