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Bland Simpson's exploration of North Carolina and its heritage has manifested
itself in novels, musical plays, film scripts, a musical group and a creative
writing position at the University.
Simpson's knowledge of the state and its natural resources will extend to
University graduates in a keynote address during mid-winter commencement Dec.
18.
The 2 p.m. ceremony in the Dean E. Smith Center will recognize students who
completed their degrees in August or December. Parking will be available in the
lots next to the Smith Center, where a reception on the concourse will follow
the ceremony.
Simpson, an assistant English professor, isn't revealing much about his
speech, only to say it is about water.
"I'm particularly concerned about water and water quality," he said. Not only
will Simpson speak on the subject, he plans to sing as well.
"Some of the words (in the speech) will also be lyrics," he said.
As a member of the North Carolina-based string band The Red Clay Ramblers,
Simpson has had an opportunity to showcase many talents. He has been the
pianist, vocalist, composer-lyricist and the communications director for the
Tony Award-winning group since 1986.
The Red Clay Ramblers have roots in old-time mountain music, as well as in
country, rock, Dixieland, bluegrass, gospel and the American musical. The group
has toured extensively in North America, Europe, the Middle East and North
Africa, and has contributed to the scores of Sam Shepard's 1988 film Far North
and 1994 feature Silent Tongue.
Simpson's roots in eastern North Carolina led to his authorship of several
region-specific novels. His latest novel, Into the Sound Country: A
Carolinian's Coastal Plain, is a 1997 University of North Carolina Press
release, and it also contains original photography by Ann Cary Simpson,
associate director of development at the Institute of Government and Simpson's
wife.
Called the "finest work on coastal Carolina in years" by the N.C. Wildlife
Federation's quarterly magazine, the book is filled with memoirs, history and
natural history. Among Simpson's other works are The Mystery of Beautiful Nell
Cropsey: A Nonfiction Novel, The Great Dismal: A Carolinian's Swamp Memoir and
Heart of the Country: A Novel of Southern Music.
Simpson's involvement with the University first began as an undergraduate. He
received a bachelor of arts degree from Carolina in 1973, and he returned as a
lecturer in the creative writing program in 1982.
"The University and the state it serves are of utmost importance to me," he
said. "This (commencement) is a wonderful moment to get to say something about
the relationship of the University to the state."
Simpson, the recipient of numerous awards, has been recognized for his many
ties to the region. The N.C. Folklore Society named him the 1999 Brown-Hudson
award winner for his writing's and his music's ties to state and regional
heritage. The N.C. Wildlife Federation named Simpson the "Conservation
Communicator of the Year" when he won the 1998 Governor's Conservation
Achievement Award. He also earned a 1996 Silver Reel Award of Merit from the
International Television Association for his short film script Elizabeth City:
Portrait of a Coastal Community.
Simpson will continue Carolina's tradition of faculty speakers at December
commencement. A selection committee of students and faculty recommended him to
Interim Chancellor William O. McCoy, who approved the choice.
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