Roane State Community College

Roane State Community College's Arts & Lectures Committee strives to enrich lives throughout the college and community by creating and sponsoring a broad variety of cultural and artistic events. The Committee attempts to promote critical thinking, multicultural awareness and intellectual curiosity by presenting programs that challenge worldviews and stimulate discussion on topics of current and enduring human interest.

Programs

• Cinema Lecture Series - Faculty members from RSCC present academic analyses/discussions of beloved and cult movies.
• Films for Fun Series - Films are shown as a standalone event.
• Lecturer Series - Regional and national experts share their knowledge on a variety of topics—historical, cultural, literary, and political.
• Writers at Roane State Reading Series - Authors from RSCC and the region present excerpts from their published works and discuss research, writing as craft, and the process of publishing before answering audience questions. 

Upcoming Events

• Sept 16: Arts & Lectures presents Voices of America (Roane County Campus)
  “Tonight, we hear twenty-one of those voices. Some held power. Some served in uniform. Some built, some invented, some prayed, some flew to the moon. All of them shaped the nation we inhabit today, a nation that turns 250 years old this year.” The Arts and Lectures Committee at Roane State is honored to sponsor a special production written by our own Dr. Ralph Monday, Professor of English and the Humanities, titled “Voices of America.” On September 16, please join us at 11am ET in the O’Brien Theatre on the Roane County Campus to view this dramatic pageant in celebration of 250 years of the United States of America. The performance, which will last approximately one hour, will represent twenty-one Americans who have contributed to the foundation, growth, and perseverance of our country and its ideals. Admission is free to the public and doors open at 10:30am ET.

• Sept 17: Constitution Day (Oak Ridge Campus)
  For the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, the Arts and Lectures Committee is excited to acknowledge Constitution Day 2026 with the presentation of not one, but three lectures by our esteemed professors in the History Department. Please join us on September 17 at 6pm ET in Goff 107 on the Oak Ridge Campus to hear each of the following presentations:
  • History Professor Casey Cobb will be speaking about the Marquis de Lafayette in his presentation titled “Noble fils de deux republiques: The Marquis de Lafayette in Two Revolutions.”
  • In a lecture titled “‘These are the Times that Try Men’s Souls’: Thomas Paine and The American Crisis,” History Professor Elizabeth Kitts will be speaking about the writing, experience, and influence of Thomas Paine during the Revolutionary Period.
  • Lastly, Political Science Professor Dr. John Brown will be speaking about—and reading aloud—our Declaration of Independence in his presentation titled “The Declaration of Independence at 250.”
  Admission is free to the public, and doors will open at 5:30pm ET. We hope to see you there!

Past Events

• The Arts and Lectures Committee at Roane State is asking you to join us on February 7th at the historic Princess Theatre for a special Valentine’s-themed showing of the 1939 film Love Affair, an iconic romance that first featured the onscreen pairing of actors Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. The film starts at 7:00 P.M., but doors open at 6:30 P.M. In the spirit of romance as Valentine’s Day approaches, there will be free sweet treats onsite for attendees. Theatre admission is free to the public. 
• Constitution Day
• April 5, 2023: RSCC Oak Ridge Campus City Room, 2 PM, Book of Appalachia Reading. Writers at Roane State presents Dr. Ralph Monday in a presentation of his new book of poetry: Book of Appalachia. Watch online.
• March 31, 2023: Princess Theatre, 7 PM, “History of Harriman” Lecture. RSCC Professor John Brown, the author of Harriman (Images of America series), will present stories of Harriman History. Come join us and meet the author. The book will also be available for purchase. Brought to you by the Arts and Lectures Committee. 
• February 28, 2023: RSCC Oak Ridge Campus City Room, 12:30 PM, Special lecture titled “Inseparable: Oak Ridge History and the Manhattan Project.” Ray Smith, retired Historian of the Y-12 National Security Complex, will present on Oak Ridge history and the Manhattan Project. Brought to you by Roane State Arts and Lectures Committee.
• February 10, 2023: Princess Theater, 7:00 PM, Casablanca. As always, this event is absolutely free to the public. Concessions will be available for purchase. Donations are always welcome. Anyone who wants to can come in 1940s costume! Dr. Geol Greenlee will be providing 1940s music.
• February 9, 2023: RSCC Oak Ridge Campus City Room, 12:30 PM, Special lecture titled “The Indelible Coal Creek War and Mining History: Grasp the Impact." Barry Thacker of the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation will discuss the Coal Creek War and the mining disasters at the Fraterville and Cross Mountain mines. Free admission.

Presenters Application/Nomination

The Arts and Lectures Committee is seeking presenters who are qualified to speak on a variety of issues/themes. Potential speakers will need to consider the following conditions:

• Topics need to relate to and reinforce the purpose of the Committee.
• Speakers should convey expertise on the given topic and be able to present their knowledge in an engaging manner to a variety of audiences.
• The Committee can offer an honorarium from $50–$200, depending upon available funds during a given term, for guest lecturers in the Lecturer Series.

Let the Arts and Lectures Committee know about potential lecturers or writers. Please submit the individual’s name, a short description of that nominee, and why that person’s ideas should be shared. If you are employed by RSCC and would like to nominate yourself as a presenter, please see the portion of the form titled “RSCC-Affiliated Lecturer’s/Writer’s Information.”

Presenters Application/Nomination Form

Members

• John Brown
• Melinda Gill
• Gary Heidinger
• Melanie Hildebrandt - chair
• Ralph Monday
• Jayme Nair
• John Noto
• Bryan Wilkerson
• Gary Gravely
• Michael Golebiewski
• Debbie Magill
• Courtney Minton
• Blake Morris
• Abby Schoolfield

Contact

Melanie C Hildebrandt
Click above for email address
(865) 354-3000 4993
276 Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748