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Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough spoke to an audience of more than 500 on Nov. 9 in the Betty R. Tipton Room. McCullough, 71, is considered one of the most celebrated authors in the United States.
McCullough’s books, which he writes using a manual Royal typewriter, have been commended for their outstanding narrative sweep, their literary distinction, and their scholarship and insight into American life.
McCullough told his audience that historians of the future will have difficulty finding personal information about people who lived in the 21st Century.
Today, because of technology, we no longer write letters or keep diaries like our ancestors did, the type of information McCullough uses to write his books.
His most recent book, John Adams, hit the New York Times bestseller list at No. 1 and has remained on the list for more than a year. McCullough’s next book, 1776, is scheduled to be released in May.
“Reality and Beyond,” a talk and entertainment show on WECS Radio 90.1 on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon and on ECSU-TV 22 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 p.m., has announced its schedule through the end of the year.
Recent radio shows have featured Rhona Free, an economics professor at Eastern who was named 2004 U.S. Professor of the Year. Upcoming radio shows will focus on the holiday season and promoting the Christmas special for TV 22. The radio talk show will celebrate its one-year anniversary in January.
ECSU-TV 22 is currently airing a “Highlights” show featuring interviews with Charlie Barrett, an Eastern alumnus who worked as a publicist for Johnny Carson and now owns the Barrett Company in Hollywood, CA; and former presidential candidate and environmental activist Ralph Nader.
“Our show focuses on the positive,” says Jonathan (J.D.) DuVall, who hosts the show with Matt Mello. Both are students at Eastern. “We focus on people doing things for others and people who are living their dreams.” With their web site, www.realityandbeyond.tk, having a direct link to the WECS site so people can listen to the show, DuVall says they’ve received e-mails from California, Puerto Rico, Maine, the Midwest and London, England.
Thirty-four SUOAF Merit Recipients for 2003-2004 were honored at the Administrative Faculty Merit Awards Ceremony on Oct. 29 in the Paul E. Johnson Community Room of the J. Eugene Smith Library. David Trainor, associate vice president for human resources, served as master of ceremonies.
Faculty, staff, and administrators honored were David Banchand, Patricia Banach, Karyl Bulmer, Marion Callis, Christopher Carollo, Tuesday Cooper, Kimberly Crone, Walter Diaz and Lura Fellows-Butt.
Also, Eric Germain, Kevin Gill, Joy Goff, Cynthia Hodis, William Kenney, Laurel Kohl, Michael Kowalczuk, Guy LaHaie, Brian Lashley, David Legel, James LoMonaco, Antonio Marrero, Margaret McCaw and Donna McKenty.
Also, Anny Nayshul, Geeta Pfau, Dorothy Phillips, Valerie Pritchard, Richard Savage, Stephen Shimchick, Kimberly Silcox, Bernetta Steadman, Mary Jean Wakefield, Ronald Weil and Carol White.
Alumna Darlene V. Willis was the keynote speaker at the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Student Leadership Luncheon on Oct. 11. Willis, who is executive administrative officer for the vice chancellor of student affairs at the University of California, San Diego, said “programs like ODK give students an opportunity to be exposed to a new leadership paradigm.”
ODK is designed to teach students how to become effective leaders through experiential learning, training and resources.
“I was the first in my family to go to college, the first of 37 cousins to graduate, one of only five kids from my high school to go to college, and the first in my school to receive a PhD” Willis told the audience.
She provided examples of the obstacles and negativity she faced throughout her journey to success. Willis wanted to send the message that everyone is master of his/her own fate. “When I was a student, I had to learn how to take limits and turn them into lemonade,” she said.
Willis referred to Paul A. Bryant, dean of students, as “a shining star” who has revamped the ODK program and recruited more than 20 students for membership.
Bryant said Willis’ empowering message was an inspiration to all who attended. Upcoming meetings will feature Eastern faculty, staff and administration as keynote speakers.
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Deputy Commissioner of Public Works David O’Hearn and President David G. Carter discuss plans for the university’s South Residential Village with other state and university dignitaries. Those joining O’Hearn and Carter at the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 14 include Valerie F. Lewis, commissioner of the Department of Higher Education; William J. Cibes Jr., chancellor of the Connecticut State University system; Lawrence D. McHugh, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System; Martin Levin, president of Eastern’s University Senate; and Lorelei Richey, president of Eastern’s Student Government Association. The $49 million project will provide on-campus housing for 750 students, with 250 beds in each building. Building One opened to new freshman students in Aug. 27. The remaining two buildings will open in August 2005.