History Professor Elected to Lead County Historical Group

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Genesee Community College Assistant Professor Derek Maxfield

BATAVIA, NY (10/06/2014)(readMedia)-- Derek Maxfield has another venue through which he'll work to communicate the importance of history. The Genesee Community College Assistant Professor has been elected president of the Genesee County Federation of Historical Agencies. He will serve a two year term, along with Vice President Thomas Tiefel, Secretary Kathy Jasinski, and Treasurer Joe Cassidy.

"I am very honored by my election and hope I can meet the expectations of the organizations that chose me," said Maxfield. The Federation is dedicated to the promotion, research, interpretation and preservation of history relating to Genesee County. Among its member organizations are Alabama, Stafford, Byron, Bergen, LeRoy and Oakfield Historical Societies; Historical Society of Elba; Holland Purchase Historical Society; Pembroke Historical Association and Tonawanda Indian Reservation Historical Club.

Maxfield has represented the College as a member of the Federation since 2010. "Anyone that knows me knows that history is my life-it is my profession, it is my hobby, it influences my outlook. My life is devoted to being a life-long student of history and doing all in my power to convince others of the import of learning history. To lead the Federation really is another way of forwarding my own goals."

Maxfield coordinates the Civil War Initiative at GCC, which has two more lectures planned this fall. On Wednesday, November 5, 2014 adjunct instructor of history Dan Hamner will discuss "Uncle Tom's Twentieth Century Transformation: From Martyr to Mickey Mouse and Muhammad Ali." This talk will describe the transformation of the 19th Century's greatest media icon and provide historical insights into our changing memory of Uncle Tom, American Slavery and the Civil War.

The final lecture for the fall semester, scheduled Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 features David Armitage and Dona LaValle in the "The Music of the Civil War" presentation. Music played an important role in the American Civil War as it called men to battle, boosted morale – both on the battlefield and the home front, and stirred patriotism north and south. The program will not only feature stories about the music but also performances of it!

All lectures take place in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building and begin at 7 p.m. All Civil War Initiative events are FREE and open to the public.

For more information, contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616, or via email: dsutherland@genesee.edu.

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Editor's Note:

A photo of Derek Maxfield is available here:

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/Derek_Maxfield.jpg