Stephens College Professors Lead One Read Events at Daniel Boone Regional Library
As part of this year’s One Read Program, Stephens College faculty and alum played a prominent role in leading community discussions and creative workshops at the Daniel Boone Regional Library, centered around Charlotte McConaghy’s novel Migrations.
The events brought together local scholars and creatives to explore the novel’s themes through both academic analysis and screen adaptation.
“One Read Goes to College” featured Dr. Hilary Wilson, an assistant professor and director of clinical education in the Physician Assistant program at Stephens College. Dr. Wilson was joined by Dr. Peter Monacell from Columbia College and Dr. Michael Byrne from the University of Missouri to lead a thought-provoking panel. The scholars provided multidisciplinary perspectives on Migrations, highlighting its exploration of environmental issues and personal resilience. Dr. Wilson drew on her expertise in health and education to discuss how environmental changes impact both ecosystems and human health, connecting the novel’s themes of migration and displacement to real-world challenges.
“The Movie In Your Mind: Workshopping the Screen Adaptation of Migrations,” was led by Chase Thompson, chair of the Film Department at Stephens College, and LeeAnne Lowry, a Stephens alum and screenwriter-filmmaker. This interactive workshop invited participants to imagine how Migrations could be adapted for film, focusing on story structure, visual storytelling, and character development. Attendees explored “dream casting” their favorite characters and gained insights into the art of screenwriting. Thompson and Lowry also highlighted Stephens College’s innovative MFA in TV and Screenwriting program, emphasizing its mission to bring more female writers into Hollywood.
Through its collaboration with the One Read Program, Stephens College continues to inspire and connect with the Columbia community in meaningful ways.
