Greg Kelley, Debora Constable, Priscilla Dodds and Ernie Guyton pose in front of a 1965 Ford Mustang on loan for a display at Clarkston Campus by its owner Reginald Bass. GPC’s 1960s Symposium continues through Friday. (photo by Bill Roa)
’60s Symposium should have us all 'feelin’ groovy'
Georgia Perimeter College is set to revisit the highly-charged political, social and cultural landscape of the 1960s during a weeklong symposium designed to honor the college’s 50th anniversary.
From feminism and race equality to the Vietnam War, fashion and the arts—the ’60s inarguably marked a decade of vast change across America.
The 1960s Symposium at Georgia Perimeter will explore this evolutionary period with a number of events planned for each of its five campuses Feb. 16-20.
“Civil rights, human rights, nonconformist popular culture, technology coming out of the space race, questioning authority—all these orientations that define our 21st century outlook are deeply rooted in the ’60s. And so is Georgia Perimeter College,” says Dr. Paul Hudson, history professor and Clarkston Campus symposium chair.
Conference highlights include a student-led discussion on student activism and a presentation about the evolution of 1960s icon Muhammad Ali.
Other sessions will focus on ’60s pop culture, artistic expression and voting rights. A program at Clarkston Campus will lighten the mood a bit, with three professors leading a fun forum entitled “Feeling Groovy, Looking Good: ’60s Fashion and Dance”.
The GPC 1960s Symposium will culminate with a couple of musical events. The one at Decatur Campus on Thursday, Feb. 19, will feature ’60s “soul” music.
“We are excited to have a symposium this February reflecting on the dynamic spirit of the 1960s,” Hudson says.
Georgia Perimeter College opened its doors in 1964 to 763 students.
Click here for the full schedule of symposium events by campus: Alpharetta, Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody, Newton.