PRESTONSBURG – Big Sandy Community and Technical College will be hosting a series of workshops and presentations to commemorate the centennial of President Richard M. Nixon’s birth. Nixon was born on Jan. 9, 1913, in Yorba Linda, California and served as Vice President (1953-1961) and President (1969-1974). His long public career witnessed the flowering of the Civil Rights movement, an easing of Cold War tensions, the ending of the Vietnam War, the opening of relations with the People’s Republic of China, the birth of the Environmental Movement, and the first landing on the moon.

The commemorative activities will take place on the Prestonsburg campus of BSCTC on Tuesday, Jan. 8, beginning at 9 a.m. with concurrent presentations by Dr. Thomas Matijasic on “Nixon and the Civil Rights” and Dr. Thomas Vierheller on “The Greening of Nixon: Nixon and the Environment.” At 9:50 a.m., Dr. Donald Barlow will offer a presentation entitled, “Nixon and the Ending of the Vietnam War” and Dr. William Loftus will offer a workshop entitled, “Drug Use in the Age of Aquarius.” At 10:40 a.m., Dr. Douglas Herman and Dr. Phyllis Puffer will offer a joint session entitled, “Personal Vignettes of Richard Nixon’s Politics,” while Professor Michael Dixon will offer a session on “The Mansion Killings.”

Following lunch, additional presentations will be offered. Director Steven Russo of the East Kentucky Science Center will present, “The Most Historic Call Ever Made from the White House,” from 1 to 1:45 p.m. in the EKSC. Professor Michelle Fields will lead a workshop on the Nixon/Front interviews from 2 until 2:50 p.m. BSCTC Art Gallery Director Tim Sizemore will lead a discussion of political cartoons during the era from 3 to 3:50pm.

The day’s festivities will conclude with a benefit concert from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Gearheart Auditorium of the Pike Building on the Prestonsburg campus. The “Woodstock in Prestonsburg” concert will feature the music of Jeremy Dempsey, Carolina Bound, and Susan Scott. Proceeds will benefit student organizations at BSCTC.

All of the daytime presentations and workshops are free and open to the public. School groups are welcome. There will be a $5 admissions fee for those attending the “Woodstock in Prestonsburg” concert in the evening. For additional information, please contact Dr. Thomas Matijasic at (606) 886-3863, ext. 64768