YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – On Sept. 3, Young Harris College participated in Dragon Con in Atlanta. The annual event is described as “the largest multimedia, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film in the universe.” The YHC group spoke on a panel titled, “Cataloging Days of Future Past: Lessons Learned from a Small College with a Big Comics Collection,” regarding the Andy Rowe Comics Collection donated to YHC last year.
The panel discussion was part of the Comics and Popular Arts Conference (CPAC) at Dragon Con. CPAC is an annual academic conference for the studies of comics and the popular arts, including science/speculative fiction and fantasy literature, film, and other media, comic books, manga, graphic novels, anime, gaming, etc. CPAC presentations are peer reviewed and based in scholarly research.
The panel included Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Kathryn Frank, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of Communication Studies and Chair of the Department Chris Richardson, Ph.D., along with current senior art major Khalid Johnson of Decatur, Ga., alumnus John Lyle Moore of Rabun Gap, Ga. and alumna Emily Todd of Coral Springs, Fla.
“The experience itself was a joy and so much to take in,” said Khalid Johnson. “With regard to our panel discussion, it was a great and humbling thing to get to talk about how this collection and comics in general have shaped my studies and are beneficial to campus.”
“It’s really rewarding to see students benefit so greatly from donations from the community like this,” said Richardson. “Andy Rowe helped reinvigorate intergenerational discussions about culture, art and the way we communicate. This will be an ongoing project, which we will continue to undertake with many more students and community members thanks to Mr. Rowe’s generous donation.”
Referencing the Andy Rowe Comics Collection, Frank said, “I was excited for the opportunity to let other researchers, students, fans and community members at Dragon Con know about this great resource we are developing at YHC. I also appreciated seeing our students and recent graduates share their projects and insights with a wider audience.”
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has three academic divisions: Arts and Humanities, Professional Studies, and Mathematics, Science and Technology, with more than 1,300 students enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga. has completed major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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