Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) held its annual Arts and Humanities Speakers Forum on March 19, 2026, with writers Ron Rash, Wiley Cash, and Saul Lelchuk. The focus of this year’s forum was “Fiction on the Edge: Crime, Culture, and the Human Heart.” After a presentation by each author, Don Noble, recipient of the 2017 Governor’s Arts Award and professor at the University of Alabama from 1969 to 2001, moderated a conversation with the three authors. As a professor of English at UA, Dr. Noble was known for his engaging teaching style, which was evident in his ability to foster a thoughtful discussion with Rash, Cash, and Lelchuk.

NACC President Dr. David Campbell began Forum in 1993. Since that first year, the Forum has hosted such writers as Tom Franklin, Silas House, Michael Knight, George Singleton, Mark Powell, Janisse Ray, Mary Hood, Dori Sanders, Thomas Cook, Pam Duncan, Sena Jeter Naslund, Robert McCammon, and Taylor Brown.

“Our Humanities Writer’s Forum is one of the best events for writers in the South,” stated Dr. Campbell. “To be able to hear these writers and our students learn from them is a tremendous opportunity regardless of their career direction. I can’t say enough about Mrs. Joan Reeves in leading and organizing this Forum. She personally knows just about every major writer in the South and brings them to our campus.”

Over 250 were in attendance for the morning session, and 75 were in attendance for the afternoon Master Classes. In addition to the NACC student body, faculty, and staff, there were faculty and students from Calhoun Community College. The authors were especially impressed by the projects students prepared to demonstrate their understanding of the novels.

Ron Rash spoke highly of his experience at the event, saying, "What a wonderful experience to be with such great teachers, administrators, and students. I have read at many schools, but I've never been at an event I've enjoyed more."

Cash shared his appreciation, saying, “I had such a wonderful and renewing couple of days with the students and faculty at NACC. The audience was kind and curious, and the hosts were accommodating and so pleasurable to get to know.”

Lelchuk added, “Participating in the NACC Arts & Humanities Speakers Forum was a wonderful literary experience that I will not soon forget. As I conversed with fellow authors, readers, NACC faculty, and students, I was repeatedly impressed by the widespread passion for humanities and literature that I encountered. I hope to return next year as a guest!”

Joan Reeves, Chair of the English and Fine Arts Division, noted, “This event has always been such an important one for our students, faculty, staff, and community. Dr. Campbell showed great vision when he created this forum in 1993, and the generous support of the college has been instrumental in allowing us to bring three of the nation’s best writers to northeast Alabama. The college’s commitment to literary engagement and intellectual enrichment ensures that our students and community can learn from and be inspired by some of the most influential voices in contemporary literature.”

The NACC chapter of Sigma Kappa Delta has signed copies of books by these authors available. For more information, contact Joan Reeves at 256-638-4418 or 256-228-6001, ext. 2231, or by email at reevesj@nacc.edu.