Baltimore, MD -- Speaking to this semester's Humanities Forum theme of "Context, Interpretation, and Pleasure," Dr. William R. Ferris, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, will present a lecture (sponsored by the Humanities Forum) in the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery on November 10 at 4 p.m. The topic of his presentation will be "Humanities in the Digital Age."

Chosen by President Clinton to head the Endowment in 1997, Dr. Ferris founded the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi in 1977. Today that Center is involved with strengthening the University's instructional program in the humanities by promoting scholarship on every aspect of Southern culture and encouraging public understanding of the South through publications, media productions, lectures, performances, and exhibitions.

Currently Dr. Ferris actively tours the country speaking to audiences about the Endowment, its programs, and mission. He was most recently received by the Federation of State Humanities Councils during their Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado (October 2, 1999) and served as the key speaker during the National History Day Welcome Ceremony at the University of Maryland, College Park (June 13, 1999). A full itinerary of his speeches as well as their content can be found at the National Endowment for the Humanities website at http://www.neh.fed.us/html/chairman.html.

This will be the third lecture in the UMBC Humanities Forum Fall 1999 series. Other speakers have included Dr. Kathy O'Dell, Department of Visual Arts Associate Professor of Art History and Theory; State Underwater Archaeologist for the Maryland Historical Trust, Susan Langley; Robertson Professor of Media Studies at the University of Virginia, Johanna Drucker; and Professor of Law at the University of Iowa, Dr. James Freedman.

For more information about the Humanities Forum lecture series, or to receive a brochure, please call (410) 455-6798.