Serving the students of Brenau University since 1969, retired professor Jim Southerland will recount his journey from his soon-to-be-published book, “Sharecropper’s Son: A Journey of Teaching and Learning,” at the Northeast Georgia History Center this Friday. During Brenau’s homecoming weekend activities, Southerland will host a free preview where he will read excerpts of the memoir at 5 p.m., followed by a reception at 6 p.m. Southerland, considered the university’s “top academic officer,” is Brenau’s longest-serving professor. He retired from his professorship in 2013 after 44 years of teaching history, as well as serving as a provost and vice president of academic affairs.