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Notes & Quotes

Library Hosts Cultural Events

by Mary Beth Parkinson, AV Cataloger / Reference
Professor Tom Kolsky and students at "Smart Bombs, Foolish Choices," 11/5/03

ESL faculty, Chidi Ukazim presenting during "Stranger in a Strange Land," 11/19/03

ESL students admiring African artifacts during "Stranger in a Strange Land," 11/19/03

Dabbs Woodfin, Rotary International, and Bridget McHenry-Ali, Peace Corps, presenters for "Alternative Ways to Learn," 11/20/03

Students providing music for Professor Pat Nestler's Advanced Creative Writing class coffee house, 12/03/03

What began last spring as a celebration of poetry, when the Library hosted a Coffee house for Professor Peter Scheponik’s Contemporary American Poetry class, has blossomed into a regular series of cultural programming in the Library’s upstairs lounge, thanks to the enthusiastic support of our faculty and students.

The Library kicked off its fall schedule of events with the Writer’s Club Coffee House on October 8th. Sponsored by Professor Pat Nestler, the Writer’s Club is managed by the students, whose dedication to the club and commitment to creative writing is evident. On October 10th, Professor Thea Howey presented a program on Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Howey’s excitement for the play was infectious, as she provided background information on Shakespeare and the play, as well as how Julius Caesar would have been staged and presented at the Globe Theater. Volunteers were easily won to read selected scenes. This proved to be an enjoyable way to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of this great Shakespearean tragedy.

Four interesting and diverse programs were hosted by the Library in November. On November 5th, laughter was coupled with insight as Professor Tom Kolsky presented his program, “Smart Bombs, Foolish Choices”. While exposing the humor and irony in current domestic and world affairs, Kolsky revealed his deep concerns for the human condition and his passion for human rights. English Instructor Kathleen Shaw led a lively and interesting discussion of the Joyce Carol Oates novel, We Were the Mulvaneys on November 12th. The book discussion tied in with the author’s visit to the College on November 14th as a guest of the Writer’s Club. International Education Week was celebrated in November with several events on campus sponsored by the International Studies Committee, two of which were hosted by the Library. These included: “Stranger in a Strange Land - the Experience of International Students in the U.S.” (November 18th) - a celebration of diversity led by ESL Professor Chidi Ukazim and members of the International Studies Club here at the College who discussed their experiences as students in the U.S.; and “Alternative Ways to Travel and Learn” (November 20th) with guest speaker Dabbs Woodfin from Rotary International (also the spouse of History Professor Elsa Rapp) who discussed the service and cross cultural learning opportunities provided by groups such as Rotary International and the Peace Corps. This program featured an additional speaker, Bridgit McHenry-Ali, a Peace Corps Volunteer, who discussed her unforgettable experiences as a recent volunteer in Togo.


Students from Professor Peter Scheponik's Contemporary American Poetry class during a coffee house reading, 12/05/03

In early December, Professor Pat Nestler’s Advanced Creative Writing class came to share their original writings. The season concluded two days later on December 5th with the program that inspired us to begin this series last spring – Professor Peter Scheponik’s Contemporary American Poetry class with readings by students of their own poems as well as the work of favorite poets. This class, together with Professor Pat Nestler’s Writer’s Club and her Creative Writing class serve not only as a celebration of writing, but more importantly, as a tribute to the talents of our students who enthusiastically share their creative efforts and demonstrate their support of one another through a genuine interest in each other’s work.

We look forward to planning events for the spring semester. Please contact me (Mary Beth Parkinson, x7480) with ideas and dates, and we will be happy to take care of publicity and refreshments. The Library’s upstairs lounge is an attractive and comfortable setting that can safely accommodate up to 45 people. These programs would not be possible without the participation of our faculty whose support is helping to transform a very busy Library to an even better place – an intellectual and cultural destination on our campus.