In partnership with the North Carolina Friends Historical Society and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, author Fergus Bordewich spoke in Dana Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. The program began with the singing of African-American spirituals from Director of Community Learning James Shields, Director of Conferences and Events Meredeth Summers and Guilford College staff members.

Bordewich is an author of seven nonfiction books. During his visit to campus, he was accompanied by his wife Jean Parvin Bordewich, a 1972 graduate of Guilford College. Also on stage was Wess Daniels, the director of Friends Center and Quaker Studies.

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Underground Railroad in Guilford County, Bordewich spoke on “Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America.” He primarily elaborated on the Underground Railroad, its history, and its meaning for the 21st century. As the son of a national civil rights leader, Bordewich was introduced to racial politics early in life and continues

to advocate through various publications, including books and journalistic articles.

Editor’s note: This story originally was published in Volume 106, Issue 5 of The Guilfordian on Nov. 8 2019.