Troy University’s College of Arts and Sciences will host a pair of speakers on the Dothan Campus on April 21.

Headlining the 2022 Woodham Memorial Lecture is Emily Blejwas, the executive director of the Alabama Folklife Association, who will present “Alabama History Through Its Foods.”

The lecture is based on her book “The Story of Alabama In Fourteen Foods.” Drawing on historical research and interviews with home cooks, chefs, and community members cooking at local gatherings and for holidays, Blejwas details the myths, legends, and truths underlying Alabama’s beloved foodways. With nearly 50 color illustrations and 15 recipes, “The Story of Alabama in Fourteen Foods” allows all Alabamians to more fully understand their shared cultural heritage.

The Woodham Lecture is from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. in Malone Hall’s Harrison Room.

At 6:30 p.m. in Everett Hall’s Sony Hall, Dr. Blake Ball, an assistant professor of history and Chair of the Department of History and Political Science at Huntington College, will present “Charlie Brown’s America,” based on his book “Charlie Brown’s America: The Popular Politics of Peanuts.”

Ball joined the Huntington faculty in 2017 after completing his doctorate at the University of Alabama. Previously he was an assistant professor at Miles College, an adjunct at the University of North Alabama and an adjunct at UA, where he also served as assistant director of the Summersell Center Public History Initiative. He served as editor of the “Southern Historian” graduate history journal and as a contributor and assistant editor of “The Historian Behind the History,” a collection of oral stories documenting historians’ graduate training and insights into the historical profession.

“Covid interrupted this speakers series, and it is with great pleasure that the Dothan College of Arts and Sciences can revive it,” said Dr. Martin Olliff, Dothan Campus College of Arts and Sciences Coordinator. “The Woodham Memorial Lecture has been a long-standing tradition at Troy Dothan, and we’re pleased to spotlight Ms. Blejwas’s presentation.  One good thing that the Covid interruption did was to give Dr. Ball an opportunity to publish his research into the deeper cultural meaning of the beloved Peanuts comic strip, and we’re thrilled to add him to the series.”

Both lectures are free to attend and open to the public and are co-sponsored by the Alabama Humanities Alliance. CEU and professional development credits are available.

For more information, contact Dr. Marty Oliff, College of Arts and Sciences Coordinator for the Dothan Campus and professor of history, at 334-983-6556 extension 21327, or by email to molliff@troy.edu.