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The Virginia Historical Society held the eleventh Wyndham B. Blanton Scholars Forum October 22–23, 2009. The forum is designed to bring together high school history students with nationally renowned history scholars. Named in honor of a former president of the historical society, the Blanton Scholars Forum featured author and commentator Frank Deford. Previous participants include Michael Beschloss, Scott Berg, David Gergen, Ron Chernow, Edmund Morris, Cokie Roberts, Rick Atkinson, David McCullough, and Ken Burns.
One of the most versatile writers in America today, Frank Deford is most well-known as a sports journalist. A senior contributing writer at Sports Illustrated and a commentator on NPR's Morning Edition, Deford's work often examines the relationship between sports and American society at large. He is the author of fifteen books, including works of fiction, a memoir, as well as sports commentary. Deford is a member of the Hall of Fame of the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters and was voted as U.S. Sportswriter of the Year six times by his peers. He has won an Emmy and a George Foster Peabody award for his work in broadcasting.
Frank Deford was the J. Harvie Wilkinson, Jr., lecturer on Thursday, October 22. The title of his presentation was "The Athlete as Gentleman: From Christy Mathewson to Arthur Ashe." The 2009 Blanton Scholars had the opportunity to attend the lecture on Thursday evening, participate in an informal conversation with Deford that evening, and attend a seminar/discussion on the role of sports in American society the following morning. Each scholar also received a copy of one of Mr. Deford's books.
Application information:
Please note: The 2009 Blanton Scholars Forum has passed. Information about next year's program will be posted on the web site.
For more information, please contact: |
Caroline Legros
School Program Coordinator
Virginia Historical Society
P.O. Box 7311
Richmond, VA 23221-0311
Email: clegros@vahistorical.org
Tel: 804.342.9652 |
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