US Holocaust Memorial Museum Scholars to Visit University of Jamestown

Jamestown, ND (03/18/2025) — The University of Jamestown's Department of Social Science is honored to host scholars affiliated with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) on campus on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in DeNault Auditorium.

This special programming, sponsored by UJ and the Museum's Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, will feature two public events. Both events are free. Discussions will focus on critical topics related to the Holocaust and its broader implications:

Physical and Social Places of Exclusion in Nazi Germany and the Great Plains

• 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: "Racism and Religion on the Road to Extermination, In and Beyond the Holocaust"
• 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: "The Holocaust and Survival, In and Beyond Nazi Germany: Teaching Challenging Topics in the Classroom"

"This is an extraordinary opportunity for our campus and community," said Marc James Carpenter, PhD, UJ Assistant Professor of History. "The Holocaust is not just a historical event; it is a lens through which we can examine the dangers of hatred, racism, and indifference in our own time.These scholars will help us confront these difficult truths and inspire us to be courageous truth-tellers in troubled times."

The event will feature four scholars:

• Dr. Edward Westermann, author of Hitler's Ostkrieg and the Indian Wars and Drunk on Genocide, whose work explores the intersections of violence, ideology, and culture.
• Dr. Kierra Crago-Schneider, an expert on Holocaust refugees and resilience, with extensive experience in museums and public history.
• Dr. Rebecca Carter-Chand, whose research focuses on the role of religious institutions during the Holocaust.
• Dr. Elise Boxer, a scholar specializing in Indigenous studies and the intersections of genocide and colonialism.

In addition to the public events, Dr. Westermann and Dr. Crago-Schneider will joining UJ classrooms, offering students and faculty the opportunity to engage directly with their expertise. Classroom discussion topics will include Holocaust history, genocide studies, public memory, and strategies for addressing challenging subjects in educational settings.

"We are the smallest institution the Mandel Center has ever partnered with for programming like this," Carpenter added. "It's an incredible opportunity to foster dialogue, especially in rural communities like ours. We hope to see people join us from across the state for these events."

The University of Jamestown invites everyone to participate in this critical conversation. For those interested in learning more, please get in touch with Marc Carpenter at 701-252-3467 ext. 5640 or marc.carpenter@uj.edu.

Concert Featuring Shostakovich's Piano Trio Op. 67

In conjunction with these events, the UJ will also host a concert featuring Dmitri Shostakovich's Piano Trio Op. 67 on Sunday, April 6, at 4:00 PM in the lobby of the Reiland Fine Arts building.

This piece, composed in 1944 during a time of great turmoil in the Soviet Union, reflects the complex emotions surrounding the Holocaust and the oppressive regime of Joseph Stalin.

"Shostakovich's Piano Trio Op. 67 serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression," said John Clodfelter, Assistant Professor of Music, who will present the concert.

"Through this music, we can explore the themes of suffering and survival that resonate deeply with the discussions we will have during the Holocaust programming." Clodfelter will be joined by violinist Laura Prokopyk, Concertmaster of the Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra, and Dr. Erik Anderson, Full Professor and Chair of the Division at Minot State University.

The concert is also free and open to the public.

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