world-war-zWilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences is excited to announce bestselling author Max Brooks (World War Z) as part of Interstices 2017 – Surviving the End of the World on Thursday, April 6 and The Walking Dead’s Sarah Wayne Callies!

In a discussion about realities, myths, and stories of disaster and apocalypse, Brooks and Callies will join panelists Ann Gordon (Political Science Professor, Responses to Disasters
and Terrorism Chapman Survey of American Fears), Jeffery Bratberg (Pharm. D., BCPS, University of Rhode Island) and Javier Moscoso (Ph.D., Institute of History, Spanish National Research Council, Spain). The event will take place in Memorial Hall at 7 p.m.

max-brooks_headshotABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brooks is credited with helping propel zombie-lore from niche sub-culture fascination to mainstream pop-culture obsession. While Brooks has published three massively successful zombie-themed books—The Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z, and The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks (all of which are now considered the definitive tomes for the genre)—his ultimate goal was to challenge old ways of thinking and encourage mental agility and flexibility for problem solvers and leaders. By developing the dystopian mythos of a “zombie apocalypse” in film and literature, Brooks continues to drive the dialogue as an authority on how to manage and coordinate emergency responses and to suggest better ways to prepare for crisis and struggle. Brooks’ unique, unconventional thinking depicted in his books has even inspired the U.S. military to examine how they may respond to potential crises in the future.  ‘Survival Guide’ was read and discussed by the sitting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Brooks has been invited to speak at a variety of military engagements—from the Naval War College, to the FEMA hurricane drill at San Antonio, to the nuclear “Vibrant Response” war-game.

ABOUT THE ACTRESS: Sarah Wayne Callies has made an indelible impression on audiences worldwide by portraying complex and unique women. Most notably, she starred as ‘Lori Grimes’ in AMC’s critically acclaimed series, “The Walking Dead” and as Dr. Sara Tancedi in Fox’s international hit drama “Prison Break.” Callie will next be seen on television starring in Fox’s highly-anticipated drama series “Prison Break.” She will reprise her roll as Dr. Sara Tancredi. “Prison Break” is an American television serial drama created by Paul Scheuring, that was broadcast on Fox for four seasons, from 2005 to 2009. Callies also co-stars in USA’s drama series “Colony” opposite Josh Holloway. She plays ‘Katie Bowman,’ a woman navigating dangerous ethical decisions to protect her family in occupied Los Angeles. The show was created by Carlton Cuse (“LOST”) and Ryan Condal (“Hercules”). The second season premiered in January 2017.