MANSFIELD, PA—Jimmy Guignard, associate professor of English and chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages at Mansfield University, presented the Magliocco Lecture at Western Illinois University (WIU) in Macomb, IL on April 22.
Guignard’s lecture, “Only Connect: Rhetoric, Ethics, and Love,” explored what happens when people disagree with each other, and how the ethical use of rhetoric can begin to heal those rifts. The idea for the lecture grew out of his book, Pedaling the Sacrifice Zone: Teaching, Writing, and Living above the Marcellus Shale. Guignard spoke to more than 50 students and faculty.
The Magliocco Lecture is named for Maurine Magliocco, Professor Emerita of English from WIU. During her career, Magliocco advocated tirelessly for the equal treatment of women, and she opened WIU’s Women’s Center in 1986. The Center just celebrated its 30th anniversary and Magliocco continues her advocacy in retirement.
“I am honored and humbled to be connected to Maurine and her work,” Guignard said. “What an amazing example she sets. People like her inspire me to work harder on behalf of those who don’t have a voice.”
Guignard has had a busy spring semester. In addition to presenting the Magliocco Lecture, Guignard read from Pedaling the Sacrifice Zone at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, the Conference on College Composition and Communication in Houston, TX, and at Lock Haven University.