PHILADELPHIA, PA- Chestnut Hill College will host its second annual academic conference on “Harry Potter: Reflections on the Major Themes in J.K. Rowling's Literature" on Friday, October 18, from 3-5 p.m. in the Rotunda, St. Joseph Hall. 

The conference is an academic outlet for students, faculty and other scholars to present papers, research, or art related to the Harry Potter book series. This conference brings a scholarly component to the Harry Potter Weekend and the College’s Philadelphia Brotherly Love Quidditch Cup Tournament. 

Presenters at the conference include Tolonda Henderson of George Washington University, who will present “Shhhhh!: Hermione and the Marginalization of the Hogwarts Library,” and Jeff Ambrose, M.A., adjunct instructor in communications, arts and humanities at Delaware County Community College who will discuss “Teaching Through Terror: Horror in Harry Potter.” This year artistic presentations will also be welcomed, including artwork and performances. 

Chestnut Hill faculty presenting include Patrick McCauley, assistant professor of religious studies & philosophy who will address "King’s Crossroads: The Border between the Real and the Imagined,” and Robert D. Meyer, Ph.D., professor of biology, who will address “The Inheritance of Magic Use: Genetics in the Wizarding World.” 

For information about presenting, please contact Karen Wendling, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry at wendlingk@chc.edu or Patrick McCauley, Ph.D., assistant professor of religious studies and philosophy at mccauleyp@chc.edu. For more information on presenting or to register, please visit http://www.harrypotterconference.com/home.html