News at St. Catherine's
Turner Discusses New Book
Upper School history teacher Jeff Turner discussed his book "Sitting In and Speaking Out" on Wednesday at St. Catherine's.
It was a tumultuous, turbulent time. The 1960's pushed people to take a stand for their beliefs.
And it was no different on college campuses as students across the South responded to national events in their own ways.
In his book "Sitting In and Speaking Out," Upper School history teacher Jeff Turner examines the student movement in the South during the 1960’s. The book takes a look at the activism of both black and white students based on primary research at more than 20 public and private institutions, including historically black schools, in the South.
“The deeper I got into it, the more I understood that college campuses were really at the center of a number of currents,” Turner said, “Not only the black freedom struggle, but also foreign policy, educational policy and regional identity.”
Turner discussed his book and signed copies Wednesday night in the new Café 2010, located in the St. Catherine’s Dining Hall. The event was a partnership between St. Catherine’s, the Library of Virginia and the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
"The students, faculty and community members in attendance were able to witness the scholarship and passion Jeff poured into the project," History chair Renee Price said. "It was truly inspiring. I feel so grateful to be in the midst of such an accomplished colleague, and moreover I am proud that our students have the opportunity to learn from him."
Turner began studying the topic in a broader sense for his doctoral dissertation in the mid-90’s. With the encouragement of his dissertation director at Tulane University, he refocused to the 1960’s student movement. He then decided to further investigate the topic for the book.
His research involved more than 20 different schools across the South including Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia; Duke, Tulane, Emory and Vanderbilt. He also studied historically black schools: Fisk, Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta, Xavier (New Orleans), Southern University (Baton Rouge), Southern University (New Orleans) and Virginia Union.
Turner worked on the book primarily during the summer months. He was able to finish the revisions in the fall of 2008, thanks to a half-year sabbatical granted by St. Catherine’s.
“All in all it took about 15 years to write, with a lot of pauses along the way,” Turner said. “I wanted to write the book because I felt like I had a lot to say about the issues,” Turner said. “There seemed to be interest in the questions the book addresses.”
Back
And it was no different on college campuses as students across the South responded to national events in their own ways.
In his book "Sitting In and Speaking Out," Upper School history teacher Jeff Turner examines the student movement in the South during the 1960’s. The book takes a look at the activism of both black and white students based on primary research at more than 20 public and private institutions, including historically black schools, in the South.
“The deeper I got into it, the more I understood that college campuses were really at the center of a number of currents,” Turner said, “Not only the black freedom struggle, but also foreign policy, educational policy and regional identity.”
Turner discussed his book and signed copies Wednesday night in the new Café 2010, located in the St. Catherine’s Dining Hall. The event was a partnership between St. Catherine’s, the Library of Virginia and the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
"The students, faculty and community members in attendance were able to witness the scholarship and passion Jeff poured into the project," History chair Renee Price said. "It was truly inspiring. I feel so grateful to be in the midst of such an accomplished colleague, and moreover I am proud that our students have the opportunity to learn from him."
Turner began studying the topic in a broader sense for his doctoral dissertation in the mid-90’s. With the encouragement of his dissertation director at Tulane University, he refocused to the 1960’s student movement. He then decided to further investigate the topic for the book.
His research involved more than 20 different schools across the South including Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia; Duke, Tulane, Emory and Vanderbilt. He also studied historically black schools: Fisk, Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta, Xavier (New Orleans), Southern University (Baton Rouge), Southern University (New Orleans) and Virginia Union.
Turner worked on the book primarily during the summer months. He was able to finish the revisions in the fall of 2008, thanks to a half-year sabbatical granted by St. Catherine’s.
“All in all it took about 15 years to write, with a lot of pauses along the way,” Turner said. “I wanted to write the book because I felt like I had a lot to say about the issues,” Turner said. “There seemed to be interest in the questions the book addresses.”
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St.Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.
