Saturday, June 2, 2007 1:11 AM CDT
James Jones Chair in World War II Studies established at EIU
'Forrest Gump' author to speak at film festival
By the JG/T-C
editorial@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — A $10,000 contribution from the James Jones Literary Society will help establish the James Jones Chair in World War II Studies at Eastern Illinois University.
“The College of Arts & Humanities is both delighted and honored to house the James Jones Chair in World War II Studies,” Dean James Johnson said in accepting the contribution. “James Jones is one of the most significant American literary voices of his generation who wrote on subjects of such importance they defined that very generation. Both our English department and our history department are committed to hosting the very best young scholars in literary and historical studies of World War II.
“It is also altogether fitting that the James Jones Chair in World War II Studies should reside at Eastern Illinois University — close to Jones’ birthplace in Robinson, and to the Handy Writers Colony in nearby Marshall, where he lived and which he so generously supported after the 1951 publication of ‘From Here To Eternity’ and the 1953 film of the novel,” Johnson added.
Founding member and past president of the JJLS, Mike Lennon, whose documentary, “James Jones: From Reveille to Taps,” captures an extraordinary look at the author and includes interviews with those who knew him from childhood on, said, “I am confident the establishment of this endowed chair will be a key moment in the history of the JJLS — the day when we began the work of re-awakening academe to the huge significance of Jones’ work.”
The society contribution to EIU was made possible by the will of the late Charles Robb, a former member of the Handy Writers Colony who died several years ago and wanted to support the work and mission of the JJLS with his bequest.
“I think that using some of the funds from Charlie Robb’s bequest for this purpose is a fine way to honor him as well as Jones,” Lennon said, who was also an executor of the estate. “Helping to establish a chair, in my judgment, is consistent with the way he left money to various causes.“
After the $1.5 million endowment is fully funded, a visiting writer or scholar will be selected by the dean’s committee, which will include a society board member, to spend time in residence in either the EIU English or history department to focus on the work of Jones and the studies of World War II.
Meanwhile, the college will host an annual James Jones Lecture Series to raise awareness of James Jones and the chair. Also this year, the Embarras Valley Film Festival (Sept. 18-22) is featuring the films made from Jones’ work. Jones’ daughter and author Kaylie Jones will conduct a creative writing workshop for EIU students and introduce “A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries,” the Merchant-Ivory film made from her novel.
“I appreciate Dean Johnson’s agreement in bringing the chair in my father’s name to Eastern Illinois University,” Kaylie Jones said. “I know my father would be quite pleased that his name and his work will help future generations of students understand and appreciate the dark days of World War II.“
Author Winston Groom, perhaps best known for his novel, “Forrest Gump,” will be a guest at the film festival, too.
“Jim was a dear friend,” Groom said, “and I would go out of my way if there was something I could do to enhance his memory.“
Groom will give the keynote address at the festival, focusing on his friendship with Jones, the significance of his work and his influence on later war novelists.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the endowment should contact the JJLS Board of Directors at JJLS, PO Box 68, Robinson, IL 62454, or make checks payable to the Eastern Illinois Foundation for the James Jones Chair in World War II Studies and send them to Karla Evans, Executive Director of Development, Eastern Illinois University Foundation, 600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, IL 61920-3099.
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