Carleton Graduate Andrews '61 to Present Lecture on Understanding Middle East
Dr. Walter G. Andrews ’61, research professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization at the University of Washington, will give the inaugural lecture for the Ira Wender Lecture Series on Cultural Understanding on Tuesday, April 21 at Carleton College’s Gould Library Athenaeum at 7:30 p.m.
Andrews, a renowned scholar and author, will give a talk entitled "Strange Bedfellows: Love, the Emotional Ecology of the Ottoman Empire and Modern Turkey, the Humanities, the Sciences, and Survival in Today’s Age of Terror." Andrews’ talk will touch on frightening reports of terrorism, suicide bombing, ethnic and religious strife often centered in the Middle East that have led to perceptions of insecurity and danger. <!--break-->Suggesting that humanities and cultural studies help create a safer and more hopeful world, Andrews will examine the emotional eco-system of the early-modern Ottoman Empire as exemplified in art, music, and poetry.
An English major at Carleton, Andrews has made significant contributions to the study of Ottoman literature during his professional career. He is the author and editor of numerous books and publications including Poetry’s Voice, Society’s Song, which received the Turkish Studies Association best contribution award, and the anthology Ottoman Lyric Poetry, considered “the finest literary translation of Ottoman Turkish lyrics ever done.”
In addition to his Carleton degree, Andrews earned two master’s degrees in English Literature and the Near East and a doctorate in Turkish Language and Literature from the University of Michigan. He is the recipient of the Turkish Republic Order of Merit Medal for valuable studies and contributions to the Turkish Republic, and the Middle East Studies Association Mentoring Award for exceptional contributions to the education and training of others in Middle East and Turkish studies.
The Ira Wender Visitor in Cultural Understanding was established by Carleton trustee Justin B. Wender ’91 and his wife, Deborah Goldfrank, in celebration of the 80th birthday of Justin’s father, Ira T. Wender. The endowed fund supporting the Wender Visitor brings to campus recognized scholars and experts on issues of cultural understanding related to the Middle East. The lectureship honors the multiple perspectives and thoughtful viewpoints that Ira Wender has brought to challenging issues throughout his life. A respected attorney, Ira Wender has richly contributed to the leadership of numerous corporate, educational and charitable institutions.
