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.
The History
Remembering Virginia and Derrick Sherman: The Inspiring Story Behind the Sherman Lecture Series
How such an original lecture series came to be is a story not only of the generosity but also of the curiosity and the creative thinking of the Sherman family.
Most of us in the History Department at UNCW fondly remember Virginia and Derrick Sherman, a pair of intellectually vibrant retirees who moved to Wilmington and came to value our department's public programs and academic work. Virginia devoted herself to the UN Association while Derrick enrolled in our history classes well into his 90s.
Such interesting people turned out to have a pair of equally interesting children, and it is Philip Sherman and Ann Sherman-Skiba and their spouses who founded the Sherman Lecture endowment to honor their parents. Philip and his wife Birgitta continue to contribute to this lectureship's success and the Sherman program through their continued interest in the series and ongoing friendship with UNCW's History Department.
The Emerging Scholar Competition
Each year, a selection committee conducts a national competition to select the Sherman Emerging Scholar.
The History Department hosts the Sherman Scholar on campus, during which time they visit UNCW classes, provide interviews to the local press, meet with faculty members and present a public lecture for the Wilmington community. The lecture is followed by a roundtable discussion of its themes featuring eminent researchers. All lectures are published by the UNCW Publication Laboratory and distributed to UN Repository Libraries.
The 2025 Sherman Scholar is Charles Fawell
On Oct. 15 and 16, 2025, the Sherman Emerging Scholar, Charles Fawell, will deliver a lecture and participate in related roundtable discussion about '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.
The endowed lecture series provides a platform for young thinkers with compelling insights into the connections between the past and the present. There are few academic venues where a promising early scholar is given the opportunity to be center stage to share their intriguing ideas with a university audience and the wider community, including concerned citizens and fellow lifelong learners.
The Roundtable
The roundtable discussion is where we delve deeper into the key themes with distinguished researchers nationwide. Our moderator facilitates an engaging and insightful conversation, making it a valuable experience for all attendees.
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.
