@LaGrange - 3D Journeys to explore the magic of Morocco

LaGrange College aims to bring a bit of “magic” to its ninth annual 3D Journeys travel and lecture series.

This year’s lectures and optional travel will focus on Morocco, a “magical land” of ancient cities, epic mountain ranges, sweeping desert, distinctive culture and legendary hospitality.

“We are excited to introduce ‘Magic of Morocco’ with preview lectures on Sept. 24,” said Ann Beason, who co-chairs the 3D Journeys series with Nancy Durand.  “Centuries of African and European influences have transformed a storied civilization into one of the world’s most distinctively different settings.”

The preview begins at 10 a.m. in the Dickson Assembly Room of Turner Hall. The session will introduce the lecturers and aim to provide a “tempting taste” of the topics for the monthly series that runs January - April, 2019.

Details and rates for a spring 2019 trip to Morocco, hosted by President Dan McAlexander and Celeste Myall, will be presented, but travel is not required to attend the lectures, which drew an average of 90 people to each one last year.

“Like all 3D sessions, the preview is free and open to anyone with an interest in learning, whether they prefer armchair travel or the ‘passport’ variety,” Beason said.

Home to rose-hued Marrakesh, fabled Casablanca, lively Fez with its massive medina (old quarter) and the awe-inspiring dunes of the Sahara Desert, Morocco has become both a safe and popular tourist destination, said Steve Hart of Hart Travel Partners, who has previously organized 3D trips to Spain, Croatia, Cuba, Sicily and, last year, to five of the world’s great cities: Budapest, Bratislava, Salzburg, Vienna and Prague.

“I recently returned from Morocco, where I had the pleasure of traveling around several cities and desert towns and was reminded how truly magical this country is,” Hart said. “Morocco sometimes can be an overlooked destination but it offers so many one-of-a-kind opportunities to explore cities, the mountains and the desert.  For starters, it’s easy to get to from the United States, no longer than flying to many European destinations.”

The 2019 lecture dates and speakers are Duncan Sandys, great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, on Jan. 28; Dr. Kevin Shirley, history professor, on Feb. 25; Dr. Dottie Joiner, art history professor, on March 25; and Dr. Caleb Williams, exercise science professor, on April 22.

Morocco is the first African nation and first predominantly Muslim country featured in the 3D series, noted Myall, who helped launch the program in 2010. She sees the Morocco trip as an opportunity to learn about a destination many Americans know little about.

“In today’s world, where people tend to be suspicious of each other, this offers a very safe way to extend ourselves and learn about a different part of the world. The U.S. State Department rates travel to Morocco as safer than France or Germany. Through the trip and also the lectures we can experience a beautiful and historically significant country and learn about its people in a non-threatening way.”

A  Dutch-treat lunch featuring Moroccan food and other choices will be available at Pitts Dining Hall following all of the sessions.

Guests should park at Sunny Gables Alumni House, 910 Broad Street, for shuttle transport to the door

For additional information, call 706-880-8244 or email 3DJourneys@lagrange.edu.

Tuesday

• Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy info session, 11:15 a.m., Bailey Room
• So You Want to Be a Librarian, 11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library
• Voter Registration: Election 2018, 11:15 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
• Andrea Mueller faculty recital, 4:30 p.m., Callaway Auditorium

Thursday

• Adventures in Archives, 11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library
• Understanding the Need for Groups Such as Black Lives Matter, 11:15 a.m., Bailey Room
  
  

State of the college: McAlexander delivers tenth annual address – LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 7, 2018

Panthers fall to state rival – LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 9, 2018

Panthers’ QB enjoys big day – LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 9, 2018

Football
The Panthers (0-2) lost 34-21 to Berry last Saturday at Callaway Stadium. Senior quarterback Kelly Hall threw for 402 yards and two touchdowns. LaGrange hosts Apprentice on Sept. 22.

Women’s soccer
The Panthers (2-2-1) beat Toccoa Falls 3-1 on Tuesday. Junior Maura Webb put LC ahead to stay with her first collegiate goal. The Panthers’ home games this weekend with Greensboro and William Peace were canceled because of Hurricane Florence.

Men’s soccer
The Panthers (3-1) defeated Toccoa Falls 4-2 on Tuesday. Adam Curry’s goal in the second half broke a 1-1 tie. LC’s games at Averett and Greensboro were postponed until Oct. 20-21 because of Hurricane Florence.

The Alumni Executive Committee held its first meeting last week for the 2018 academic year, making plans for #GivingTuesday and welcoming new members Becky Johnson Loveless ’10 and Corey Morgan ’17. AEC members shown are, from left: front row, Loraine Medlock Anderson ’83, Laura Dean ’00, Becky Johnson Loveless ’10, Spencer King ’00, Diane Hollis Harrell ’89 and John Harrell ’93, M’17; back row, Andrew Cantrell ’09, Jimmy Motos ’68, Hank Barnes ’17, Jane Cooley ’83, M’84 and Corey Morgan ’17.

Don’t forget the “Pounce Around Town” event from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Thursday at Beacon Brewing Co. at 700 Lincoln St. in the Hillside community. The LaGrange Panthers vs. Apprentice Builders (Newport News, Virginia) pep rally will feature snacks and the choice of a Beacon’s beer. All alumni are welcome, and the first 20 attendees will receive complimentary tickets to the Panthers football game against Apprentice on Sept. 22. For more information, contact alumni@lagrange.edu or 706-880-8244.

Troup County Elections Supervisor Andrew Harper will be this year’s Constitution Day speaker at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday in Dickson Assembly Room. He will answer student questions about voting, while undergraduate Jamarcus Watkins will speak about the importance of voting and Dr. John Tures, Professor of Political Science, will help answer questions for students who are registered in other counties and states.

More than 145 students, faculty and staff attended a 9/11 presentation by undergraduates Brandon Collins, Mimi Loftus and Robert Allen, with a discussion led by Dr. John Tures.  Campus chaplain Adam Roberts and undergraduate C. J. Lord, as well as First United Methodist Church Pastor John Beyers closed the event with a prayer for peace, unity and healing.

The Office of Alumni and Community Relations will be sponsoring “Pounce Around Town” events in the coming months. The first one will be from 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Beacon Brewing Co. at 700 Lincoln St. in the Hillside community. The LaGrange Panthers vs. Apprentice Builders (Newport News, Virginia) pep rally will feature snacks and the choice of a Beacon’s beer. All alumni are welcome, and the first 20 attendees will receive complimentary tickets to the Panthers football game against Apprentice on Sept. 22. For more information, contact alumni@lagrange.edu or 706-880-8244.

The deadline for registering for intramural flag football has been extended to 6 p.m. Sept. 14. For more information, contact Mike White at mlwhite@lagrange.edu.

Don’t forget about the traveling exhibition, “Against the Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health,” running through Sept. 29 on the main floor of Lewis Library. Developed and produced by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, the exhibition is free and open to the public.