Georgia Southern presents ‘Our Lost Years’ screening, Q&A at annual Mark Finlay Memorial Lecture on Sept. 26

August 30, 2019

This year’s Mark Finlay Memorial Lecture, hosted by the College of Arts and Humanities at Georgia Southern University, will be held on Sept. 26. Mr. Lane Nishikawa, director and producer of the film, “Our Lost Years,” will introduce the film’s screening, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Armstrong Center Auditorium on the Armstrong Campus. The event is free and open to the public with a Q&A and reception to follow.

“My new documentary film, ‘Our Lost Years,’ examines the internment of Japanese and Japanese Americans during World War II and the 10-year fight for redress and reparations,” said Nishikawa. “I have toured my plays and films to over 75 cities across the United States, Canada and Europe, and this will be my first trip to the deep southern part of the country.”

Nishikawa has been in the film, television and theatrical industries for more than 35 years. He currently sits on the advisory board of the San Diego Japanese Americans Citizens League. He has also served on the advisory boards of the Pacific Arts Movement and the Go For Broke National Educational Foundation.

The Mark Finlay Memorial Lecture series was established to honor Finlay’s deep interest in using history to improve the condition of humankind. Finlay felt strongly that Southeast Georgia could benefit from introducing academic and artistic perspectives that exceed its rural parameters.

The series has been presented each year in Finlay’s honor. Finlay was the former assistant dean in the College of Liberal Arts and a professor of history at Armstrong State University. Thanks to the generous donations of his family, friends and colleagues, the lecture series has taken place annually since his passing in 2013.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving nearly 26,500 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.