Stafford books

In conjunction with Kim Stafford's upcoming lecture, Miller Library has prepared a display featuring some of both Kim and his father William Stafford's books.

Kim Stafford will deliver a lecture, “Better to Wear Out than Rust Out: One Family’s Literary Affection for Kansas,” on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Auditorium on the McPherson College Campus.

The speech is presented as a Mohler Lecture, a lecture series that was established in 1975 by a donation from Robert E. & Fern Mohler to bring outstanding speakers and lecturers from all fields of knowledge to the McPherson College campus.

Kim Stafford says...
"My father, the poet William Stafford, was born in Hutchinson, and his parents rest in the McPherson Cemetery. My mother lived in McPherson as a girl, while her father went to McPherson College (his motto in the yearbook: "Better to wear out than rust out"). Every chance I get, I return to the place of my people, for there is a spirit big and open in Kansas that I do not find abroad. In my time at McPherson College I will share some stories from the family lore that contribute to my feeling of affection for Kansas, and how these stories have given me a foundation for living far away."

Stafford has taught at Lewis & Clark College since 1979. He is the founding director of the Northwest Writing Institute and serves as the Literary Executor for the William Stafford Archive. His publications include books of poetry, essays and short stories. His book “Having Everything Right,” won a Western States Book award and he has received two creative writing fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Stafford holds a Ph.D. in medieval literature from the University of Oregon. He lives in Portland with his wife and children.

Museum of World Treasures Presentation

Lon Schmidt of the Museum of World Treasures will make a special presentation Friday, Feb. 23, at 12:30 p.m. in Miller 105. All are invited; bring your lunch, if you wish.
Schmidt's speech is in conjunction with the special exhibit from the museum now on display in Miller Library.
“The presentation covers our early founders as white collar criminals, a reenactment of the duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton utilizing actual flintlock pistols, a demonstration of the loading and use of an 1851 Colt revolver owned and carried by none other than Frank James of the infamous James Gang, and the telling of a wonderful story about a Nazi flag captured and signed by WWII American war heroes,” LaWanda Smith, Director of Collections for the museum, said. “Lon is a dynamic speaker and these presentations are a lot of fun!”
The special traveling exhibit on display on the main level of Miller Library includes a variety of artifacts such as a German horse pistol, a fossilized tooth from 95 million BC, a Korean bronze kundika or water sprinkler, and a Japanese rifle from World War II. The historic presentation on Friday involves additional artifacts seen only on the day of his address.
The exhibit in Miller Library will continue until mid-March.
The Museum of World Treasures, a 501(c)(3) non-profit Kansas Corporation, is located in the heart of Wichita’s Old Town district. It is home to a $50 million collection of antiquities, including one of only four battling dinosaur exhibits in the world, the tailcoat worn by Alexander Hamilton during the Revolutionary War and an extensive collection of ancient art and artifacts. The museum is open 10:00am – 5:00pm Monday thru Saturday and 12:00pm – 5:00pm Sunday.

Library help

Need help with a research paper? Having trouble getting into an online database?
Susan Taylor is now on MC's Facebook and Windows Messenger. E-mail (library@mcpherson.edu) and phone (242-0487 or x2487) are also options. Any and all questions welcome!