Visionary Landscapes: Willa Cather and the Search for Place in the West
College of Southern Idaho Blaine County Center (Hailey); Martha (Max) Despain, Associate Professor of English at the United States Air Force Academy (now stationed at the Pentagon); Karen Ramirez, English and Women and Gender Studies Departments, and the Center of the American West at the University of Colorado, Boulder; and Steve Shively, Associate Professor of English at Utah State University. The keynote address by John Swift of Occidental College in Los Angeles, “Outside Man’s Jurisdiction”: Willa Cather and Western Inhumanism,” was open to the public on Sunday, July 22. Other public presentations included a musical presentation of a Libby Larsen composition – My Ántonia Song Cycle by Del Parkinson and Jennifer Black, Boise State University; and “An Encompassing View: Photographs of Willa Cather’s Southwest Landscape” presented by Jan Boles, College of Idaho.
Participating teachers were enthusiastically positive in their wrap-ups and in their evaluations. Some sample comments include:
“This week has been life changing for me. The scholars were welcoming and gracious; participants were very well-prepared and added a great deal to my intellectual experience. Thank you so much for this opportunity.” – Teresa Kolsen, Ammon
“I finally figured out this year that the academic stimulation that always happens at this institute is not a given. The IHC’s vision and experience carefully assembles a community of scholars and diversity of participants that exudes intellectual curiosity and community. Thank you so much.”
“I don’t know how this experience could have been any more rewarding. As I internalize all of my learning this week, the ways it will impact my students – infinitively!”
“This week was a spa for my mind!” – Gail Kohntopp, Filer
“Inspiring!! Totally exceeded my expectations! This week totally took me outside my box and made me think in new ways. What a great service you are providing to the teachers of Idaho. What a rare treat!!” – Luke Waldron, Malad