warren st. john shares his experiences with writing outcasts united
St. John at speaking at public event.
Students, staff, faculty and members of the CEHD community gathered at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on Tuesday evening and again on Wednesday morning for the 4th annual CEHD Reads Common Book author events. Warren St. John shared stories about his reporting in Clarkston, Georgia that led to his bestselling book Outcasts United: an American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference. St. John's message was both about the challenges and frustration that arise for individuals and communities in the face of change, but also about the importance of and the rewards that come from taking risks and powering through difficulties, fear and the unknown in order to achieve a goal.
Stebleton and St. John with CEHD first year students.
Professor Mike Stebleton led Wednesday’s 430-student class with St. John, beginning with some questions for the author about space, diversity and community, as well as the writing process. Professor Stebleton then invited students to the stage. Students from three different FYI sections shared with St. John the work their First Year Inquiry courses had been doing with Outcasts United and posed questions of their own about St. John’s writing choices and his experience following Coach Luma and the Fugees and their families for a year and a half. St. John’s answers often brought students back to their own experience and communities, repeatedly encouraging them to make the most of the opportunities around them, both inside and outside the classroom, so as not to fall into the group of graduates who look back at their four years of college and ask “what was that?” Following the discussion, students were invited to the stage for photographs and a book-signing.
The CEHD community looks forward to a continuation of Outcasts United- inspired conversations as we welcome Fugees’ coach Luma Mufleh to campus on Tuesday, November 1. She will give a public lecture at the Ted Mann Concert Hall at 7:30 pm. On Wednesday, November 2, she will participate in a discussion lead by Margaret Delehanty Kelly with CEHD’s first year students.
