Hillsdale’s fourth 2024-2025 Center for Constructive Alternatives, called “History on Film,” will run March 2-6. Courtesy | Hillsdale Center for Constructive Alternatives

Hillsdale’s fourth 2024-2025 Center for Constructive Alternatives will cover History on Film.

The CCA will run March 2-6 and will explore movies based on historical events from the 1920s to the Cold War. The CCA will show films in the afternoon followed by lectures from speakers such as former NASA engineer and author Homer Hickam, historian Victor Davis Hanson, and American Cinema Foundation Executive Director Titus Techera.

Assistant Professor of Physics Michael Tripepi, who will participate in the faculty roundtable, said he is looking forward to the showing of the 1999 film “October Sky” and the following talk by Homer Hickam.

“Maybe it’s just the physicist in me, but the story is inspiring,” Tripepi said.

“October Sky” is based on Hickam’s memoir “Rocket Boys.” The story follows Hickam, a coal miner’s son, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, as the launch of the Sputnik satellite inspires him to pursue rocketry against his father’s wishes.

“Next week’s CCA features several movies regarded as classics by older generations,” Tripepi said. “I’d encourage students to come out to see the films at the very least so that they can connect better with their elders.”

Junior Ava-Marie Papillon said she is excited to learn more about films as art.

“Films are a form of art that I often take for granted,” Papillon said. “I am very excited for the lecture on ‘October Sky,’ ‘NASA and the Movies.’ I have two brothers that love building and launching rockets, so ‘October Sky’ has always been a favorite at my home.”

Associate Professor of History Darryl Hart is also participating in the faculty roundtable.

“Hollywood has been the great mythmaker of American history,” Hart said. “Sometimes movies get history wrong. But even errors reveal the nation’s importance to contemporary viewers.”

Collegian Freelancer Faith Senne contributed to this article.