ENMU to Host 47th Annual Jack Williamson Lectureship

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 01 April 2024 01 April 2024

Portales, NM – March 29, 2024 – Eastern New Mexico University proudly presents the 47th annual Jack Williamson Lectureship on April 11-13, 2024.

The theme for his year’s lectureship is “Oh the [In]Humanity.” The lectureship is named for revered science fiction author, ENMU alumnus and emeritus Dr Jack Williamson.

“ENMU has such a rich history with science fiction through Dr. Jack Williamson's incredible life and legacy,” said James Johnston, ENMU Chancellor. “ENMU is honored to be a part of that legacy and to continue a tradition that now bears his name.”

ENMU proudly welcomes multiple Nebula and Hugo award-winning author Martha Wells as our Guest of Honor. Wells has published a wide range of science fiction and fantasy titles, including the “IIe-Rien” series, the multiple award-winning “Books of the Raksura” series, stand-alone fiction, including novelizations set in the Stargate Atlantis universe and Star Wars franchise, and the Nebula and Hugo award-winning “Murderbot Diaries'' series, which is in production for Apple TV+ with Wells as a consulting producer.

Connie Willis, who has published science fiction and fantasy work for over 50 years, will be Mistress of Ceremonies for this year's Lectureship Luncheon. Her most recent novel, “The Road to Roswell,” was released in June 2023.

“It’s not the special guests alone that make this event special,” said David Sweeten, chair of the Williamson Lectureship Committee. “Jack Williamson began a tradition that welcomed these authors of science fiction and other speculative fiction to ENMU, to engage in lively discussion, with the campus and community invited to participate.”

Highlights of this year’s lectureship include a reading with Guest of Honor Martha Wells; lively discussions about AI, augmented humans, magic, and world-building; the first-ever Cantina Carnival with student organizations; the annual lectureship luncheon specially catered by ENMU’s Culinary Art program, and a creative writing workshop with Connie Willis.

A full schedule of events can be found at https://www.enmu.edu/SciFi . 

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