Four distinguished panelists will highlight the inaugural event in the Gordon Parks Lecture Series, "Gordon Parks and His Influence on American Film," at Wichita State University at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, in Lowe Auditorium, Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th Street N. Admission is free.
The program is being underwritten by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Dan Glickman
Panelists are Dan Glickman, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, former Secretary of Agriculture in the Clinton administration, and former congressman; Kurt Baker, African-American filmmaker and collaborator with Gordon Parks on the "Shaft" movies; David Parks, son of Gordon Parks and collaborator; and Kevin Willmott, director of the Film Studies Program at the University of Kansas.
The panel will provide a forum for open dialogue about the cultural contributions of an important Kansas native son. The long-term objective is to provide an ongoing examination of Wichita's intercultural dialogue and ethnic heritage.
Earlier this year, Wichita State University acquired the collected papers of famed photographer, filmmaker, writer and composer Gordon Parks. With this unique collection, Wichita State and the community are poised to deepen its understanding of and interaction with Mr. Parks' life experience and genius.