Things have been crazy this past month, and I’ve been too busy with other projects and/or just wiped out to get this up sooner.
COVID killed the lectureship in 2020. Last year’s was all online. That was better than nothing, but everyone agreed it was less than satisfactory. Fortunately, this year’s event was held in person. It was good to be back in Portales again. I’d attended in 2018 and 2019 and had a fantastic time. Continue reading
As I write this, there are still a few hours left in April 29, at least in this time zone. Final exams start a week from today, and between trying to get my classes ready and dealing with emails from students who are suddenly concerned about bad lab grades they received months ago (and mostly didn’t bother to read the lab syllabus), I’ve not had time to read anything by these gentlemen. So no close look at any work by these guys. Just a shout-out to bring them some recognition. So in order of their births, here are: Continue reading
Jack Williamson and Your Intrepid Blogger gazing into the future.
Last Friday I made a trek to the Jack Williamson Lectureship at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. Even though the GoH wasn’t someone I was familiar with (film maker Alex Rivera), I wanted to make sure I went this year. I’d had an interview at a different university the previous week and felt I had a good shot at the position. (I learned a few days ago the dean and the provost decided not to fill the position but to split it into two positions next year.Oh, well. I’m under no pressure to leave where I’m at. The other position would have put me closer to family, which was the main reason I applied.) Continue reading
So last Friday, April 6, I decided to play hookey take a personal day from work and attend the Jack Williamson Lectureship in Portales, NM. This was the 42nd annual Lectureship. Jack Williamson was a Professor of English at Eastern New Mexico University. The Lectureship was established in 1977, when he retired.
I had always wanted to go, especially since I moved out to this part of Texas. Portales is just under two hours from my house. I needed the break, so I went.
Boy, am I glad I did. I didn’t realize until i got there just how badly I needed the getaway. It was like visiting a home I hadn’t realized existed and being united with family I never knew I had. I will be returning next year. By the time I left for home, the Williamson Lectureship became second only to Howard Days on my calendar. (Those who know me will understand the significance of that statement.)
I’d like to thank Betty Williamson, Jack’s niece, for her hospitality and generosity during my visit. Betty oversees the Lectureship and has done a remarkable job of keeping Jack Williamson’s legacy alive. Jack was one of the most original and innovative science fiction writers of all time, and much of his work is sadly unavailable these days outside of second hand bookstores. Continue reading