Since 2002, the UNCW History Department has hosted the Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture Series, an annual lecture series established to honor two lifelong learners and friends of the department, Virginia and Derrick Sherman.
On Oct 15, 2025, Dr. Charles Fawell will deliver the 24th annual lecture. The lecture will be followed by a roundtable discussion on Oct. 16 with distinguished scholars Dr. Jessica Namakkal, Dr. Jennifer Sessions, Dr. Jennifer Boittin, and moderator Dr. Michael Seidman.
The 2025 Sherman Scholar is Charles Fawell
Dr. Charles Begue Fawell is a Visiting Assistant Professor in History at Williams College, where he teaches courses on global imperial history, modern Europe, and the history of travel. He is now finishing his first book, 'Empire on the Line,' which traces the rise and fall of modern French colonialism to the sea lanes linking Europe, Asia, and Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries. His initial publications from this project have won prizes from the Society of French Historical Studies and the Society of Dix-Neuviémistes.
2025 Lecture Series
Empire On The Line: Making and Breaking French Colonialism at Sea
Dr. Charles Fawell
Williams College
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 7:30 p.m., Warwick Center
Roundtable to follow Thursday, Oct. 16, 3:30 p.m., OLLI Building
Free and open to the public.
Accommodations for disabilities may be requested by contacting us at least seven days prior to the event.
UNCW is an EEO/AA institution. Questions regarding UNCW’s Title IX compliance should be directed to Title IX.
2025 Roundtable
Making and Breaking French Colonialism at Sea
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 3:30 p.m., OLLI Building 620 South College Road
Free and open to the public.
Accommodations for disabilities may be requested by contacting us at least seven days prior to the event.
UNCW is an EEO/AA institution. Questions regarding UNCW’s Title IX compliance should be directed to Title IX.
Participants:
Dr. Charles Fawell, Sherman Emerging Scholar Williams College
Dr. Jessica Namakkal Duke University
Dr. Jennifer Sessions The University of Virginia
Dr. Jennifer Boittin North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Moderator: Dr. Michael Seidman University of North Carolina Wilmington
16th Annual Sherman Emerging Scholar, Noah Strote
On October 11, 2017 Noah Strote gave a lecture on "Uprooting Fascism: Germany and Western Democracy Since Hitler" in the Warwick Center Ballroom.
16th Annual Sherman Emerging Scholar, Noah Strote
On October 11, 2017 Noah Strote gave a lecture on "Uprooting Fascism: Germany and Western Democracy Since Hitler" in the Warwick Center Ballroom.
Emerging Scholar Echo Lecture, Matthew Shannon
Lecturer Matthew Shannon speaking at Emerging Scholar Echo Lecture in 2019.
17th Annual Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture, Dr. Farah Peterson
On October 17, 2018 Dr. Farah Peterson gave a lecture on "Monuments and History: How the Law Writes American History" in the Warwick Center Ballroom.
Sherman Emerging Scholar Echo Lecture, Matthew Shannon
Matthew Shannon ’09M, assistant professor of history at Emory and Henry College, delivers the Sherman Emerging Scholar Echo Lecture, “Memory and Mission in U.S.-Iran Relations.”
Sherman Lecture Series, Dr. Jose Juan Perez Melendez
On October 16, 2019 UNCW held the Sherman Lecture Series showcasing Dr. Jose Juan Perez Melendez as the keynote speaker.
Sherman Lecture Series, Dr. Alvita Akiboh
Dr. Alvita Akiboh joins the sherman lecture series to discuss how national symbols can be used to shape identity and create community.
Sherman Lecture Series, Dr. Alvita Akiboh
Dr. Alvita Akiboh joins the sherman lecture series to discuss how national symbols can be used to shape identity and create community.
Discover the 2023 Sherman Scholar Lecture Series
Explore the highlights of last year's Sherman Lecture Series, featuring the Emerging Scholar Dr. Eladio Bobadilla. Learn more about Bobadilla, the roundtable discussion, and relive the entire lecture experience by watching the recording.
