BEMIDJI, Minn. (Feb. 17, 2011) — Bemidji State University will host an outreach lecture presented by the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra relating the holocaust to Native American issues on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

The lecture, presented by humanities scholar Clay S. Jenkinson, is offered as a preparation for the orchestra’s May performance of Murry Sidlin’s “Defiant Requiem.” The requiem is based on performances of Verdi’s “Requiem” in the Terezin Concentration Camp during World War II in what is now the Czech Republic.

Jenkinson’s lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the Thompson Recital Hall of Bemidji State’s Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Jenkinson, currently the director of The Dakota Institute in Bismarck, N.D., is a humanities scholar, author and social commentator who has devoted most of his professional career to public humanities programs. He aims to provide entertaining and humorous lectures that remain educational, thought-provoking and enlightening while maintaining a steady focus on ideas. He has won wide acclaim for in-character presentations as a variety of figures from American history, most notably Thomas Jefferson. Jenkinson appears in character as Jefferson in a nationally syndicated radio show, “The Thomas Jefferson Hour,” featuring monologues followed by question-and-answer sessions. Jenkinson also appeared in character as Jefferson on a 2006 episode of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central.

For more information, contact Diane Wahl, Bemidji Symphony Orchestra board member, at (218) 751-7864 or jdwahl@midco.net.