Florida Humanities Director’s Book Club: “On The Road”

Jack Kerouac, famed American author and poet, lived his final days in St. Petersburg, Florida. His most popular novel, On the Road, is listed as one of the greatest American novels  and represents a landmark shift in the power of popular culture and influence in the 1960s. Taking place at Keroauc’s home, Florida Humanities Executive Director Nashid Madyun and retired literature professor Dr. Ken Burchenal will explore Kerouac’s life in Florida and center the book conversation around contemporary counter-culture movements and trends. The evening will conclude with a tour of the Kerouac house. FREE, but seating is limited. Light snacks and drinks provided.

Burchenal earned a Master’s degree from the University of South Florida and a Doctorate in American Literature from University of Texas at Austin. Ken Burchenal was awarded a doctorate in American Literature from UT Austin in 2003. He taught American, British, and World literatures at a variety of institutions including USF, the University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University, Concordia University, and Austin Community College. Madyun joined the Florida Humanities as executive director in 2021. Madyun, a native of Helena, Arkansas, holds degrees in history from Delta State University and Mississippi Valley State University. With a love of storytelling, he pursued and earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.