Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/84623
Knapp returns to CMU Annual Friends event is May 19 It's not enough to say the 2012 Friends of the Libraries Luncheon speaker is a University of California, Berkeley professor emeritus whose new book was featured in a January issue of The New Yorker magazine. "Invisible Romans" author Robert Knapp has credentials no previous Friends' speaker can claim. Robert C. Knapp Knapp is a Central Michigan University alumnus and a member of the Friends. The 1968 CMU graduate – he was valedictorian of the mid-year graduating class – will return to his alma mater to speak at the annual invitation-only event at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 19, in the Park Library Auditorium. He will speak on "Ordinary People of Ancient Rome: The Empire's 99%." While Knapp is retired and lives with his wife in California – where his children also live – he still is connected to his home state of Michigan and CMU. He regularly visits northern Michigan to restore an 1888 log home built by his great- grandfather as well as makes extensive use of the Clarke Historical Library to conduct much of his research on Clare, his father's hometown. "The Clarke Library has been indispensable to me in my research about the area of central Michigan," Knapp is quoted as saying in a publication for Clarke Historical Library. "Indeed, the Clarke is the most open, welcoming, helpful special collections library I have ever worked in during my over 40 years as a researcher. " Knapp received his Ph.D. in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania and taught Roman history, culture and Latin at the University of California, Berkeley for more than 30 years. His recent book publication – "Invisible Romans" – is the culmination of these eff orts to investigate the life experiences of non- elites in the Roman world. It is published by Harvard University Press. To learn more about this event or how you can become a Friend of the Libraries, contact Megan Moreno, director of library development and community outreach, at • 989-774-1826 • megan.r.moreno@cmich.edu CMU Libraries' exhibits and events calendar lib.cmich.edu/exhibits 'Continuum' Featuring works by Cam DeCaussin and Caitlin Freeman • Through March 29 • Baber Room, Park Library 'Primary Visions: Foundation Art Students' Exhibition' Representing student work produced in CMU's Department of Art and Design Foundations Program • Through March 30 • Third Floor Exhibit Area and Extended Hours Study and Student Gallery, Park Library 'Red Dirt and Blue Salt: Portraits in Rock' Highlighting research specimens collected by CMU's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences • April 1 through May 31 • Third Floor Exhibit Area 'The Moment' Featuring student work produced in class taught by Artist-in- Residence Jill Marie Mason • April 2-27 • Extended Hours Study and Student Gallery, Park Library 'The Ordinary People of Ancient Rome: The Empire's 99%' Featuring Friends of the Libraries luncheon speaker Robert C. Knapp • May 19 • Auditorium, Park Library 'A Delightful Destination: Little Traverse Bay at the Turn of the Century' Exploring the region's transportation, cultural and economic growth during this colorful period • Through May 31 • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at Clarke Historical Library • clarke.cmich.edu 'Presidential Signatures' Examining the handwritten signatures of United States presidents 8 • June through December • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at Clarke Historical Library • clarke.cmich.edu