WILSON, N.C. — March 22, 2019 — Barton College’s Willis N. Hackney Library is pleased to present the Robert Burns Symposium as part of the K.D. Kennedy, Jr. Rare Book Room / Special Collections annual programming on Monday, April 1, at 5:30 p.m. The featured keynote speaker will be Dr. K.D. Kennedy, Jr., a trustee emeritus of Barton College and CEO of Electric Supply Company. The symposium will be held in the Willis N. Hackney Library and is open to the public free of charge. The community is invited to attend.
The symposium program will include a brief welcome by Dr. Douglas Searcy, president of Barton College, followed by the Burns presentation. He will discuss his interest in Robert Burns, his collection of Burns’ books, and the importance of Burns in Scottish literature. An hors d’oeuvre reception will immediately follow the presentation.
This distinguished annual Rare Book Room Symposium Series continues to raise awareness of the importance of rare books in academic and personal collections, as well as showcasing how they are used in teaching to support the development of undergraduates’ critical thinking skills and to inspire innovative student research.
“Barton College and the Willis N. Hackney Library are most appreciative of Dr. Kennedy’s ongoing generous support for the K.D. Kennedy, Jr. Rare Book Room and its special collections,” shared Robert Cagna, dean of the Willis N. Hackney Library. “His genuine interest for research and special collections has ignited a similar passion for original inquiry and historical research within our current students. It’s truly inspiring to witness their enthusiasm as students are introduced to rare documents and books that they may otherwise have never had the opportunity to hold and read.”
About the Keynote Speaker:
K.D. Kennedy, Jr., holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Duke University and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University. He is a well-respected business leader in North Carolina, serving as chief executive officer of Electric Supply Company of Raleigh Inc., one of the Southeast’s largest suppliers of electrical equipment. In addition, he is an avid writer and poet, and well versed in Robert Burns’ life and writings. Born in Wadesboro and raised in Wilson, Dr. Kennedy is the son of the late Dorothy and K.D. Kennedy. He and his wife, Sara Lynn, have four grown children and make their home in Raleigh.
For additional information about this event, please contact Robert Cagna, dean of the Willis N. Hackney Library, at 252-399-6501 or rcagna@barton.edu.
END