CANTON, Mo. — Culver-Stockton College invites the public to the annual John A. Sperry Lecture on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. This year’s lecture will feature a powerful blend of storytelling and live performance that celebrates the life and legacy of Missouri pianist and composer J.W. “Blind” Boone.
Presented by Dr. Scott Giltner, Sperry Chair in Humanities, and Dr. Dylan Marney, Professor of Music, the program, The Life and Times of J.W. “Blind” Boone in Story and Song, offers an engaging look at one of Missouri’s most influential musicians. The event will take place in the Merillat Chapel in the Robert W. Brown Performing Arts Center on the Culver-Stockton campus. The event is free and open to the public.
“J.W. Boone, known as ‘Blind’ Boone, was born a slave and blinded from a young age. He overcame poverty, injustice, and disability to become one of the most famous and influential ragtime musicians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries,” explained Giltner. “His story is one of perseverance and triumph, an inspiring testament to resilience, talent, and the power of music.”
Through narration and performance, Giltner and Marney will bring Boone’s remarkable journey to life, inviting audiences to experience the humanity behind his extraordinary art.
The John A. Sperry Lecture honors the legacy of Dr. John A. Sperry Jr., a distinguished professor of humanities whose 35-year career at Culver-Stockton College profoundly influenced generations of students. Dr. Sperry’s wife, Jean Sperry, established the Sperry Chair and Lecture in 1992 to commemorate her husband’s time at Culver-Stockton.
Dr. Sperry was the first recipient of the Fred Helsabeck Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 1980 and was recognized at the College’s 129th Founders Day Convocation. A World War II veteran and lifelong learner, he is remembered for his dedication to the humanities and his enduring impact on the academic community.
Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office, at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.
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