The mission of Eastfield College is to provide excellence in teaching and learning.
(Mesquite, TX) – Eastfield College has chosen “Life is So Good” by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman as its 2011 Common Book. The Common Book Project is a college-wide, interdisciplinary project that aims to enrich the college experience of students, faculty, and staff in a common intellectual experience-- the reading and discussing of a common book. The book, selected by a 9-1 vote by a committee of faculty, staff, and students, will be integrated into more than 175 sections of classes in an array of disciplines, discussed in a variety of programs, and forms the basis for exhibits and performances (listed below). The key influencing factors for choosing this particular book were subject matter, relevance to our students and many potential themes.
In this remarkable book, George Dawson, the grandson of slaves who learned to read at age 98, reflects on his life and offers valuable lessons and a fresh, firsthand view of America during the 20th century. Richard Glaubman captures Dawson's irresistible voice and view of the world, offering insights in humanity, history, hardships, and happiness. From segregation and civil rights, to the wars and the presidents, to defining moments in history, George Dawson's description and assessment of the last century inspire readers with the message that has sustained him through it all: “Life is so good. I do believe it's getting better.”
Born in Marshall, Texas, Dawson began working at the age of four to help support his family. In his long life, Dawson held various jobs such as laborer, cowboy and farmer. By the age of 98, he had long since retired from a life of hard work and spent most of his time fishing. However, there was one thing he had never learned to do — read.
When a teacher from a local adult education program paid a visit, Dawson decided it was time to add literacy to the skills he had acquired from the school of life. Not discouraged that some of his classmates were 80 or more years younger, Dawson learned to read and write his name after a lifetime of signing papers with an “X.”
Monday, September 12
Film & Discussion: “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story”
Barbara Carr, Biology Faculty
12:30 p.m. | C-135
Thursday, September 22
Film & Discussion: “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”
Barbara Carr, Biology Faculty & Kathy Carter, Librarian
2 p.m. & 7 p.m. | S-101
Monday, October 3
Guest Speaker: Richard Glaubman
Co-Author of “Life Is So Good”
11 a.m. & 7 p.m. | Performance Hall
Wednesday, October 5
Café Conversation: “Lynching”
Brett Wilkinson, History Professor Northwest Vista Community College, San Antonio
12:30 p.m. | S-101
Wednesday, October 13
Film & Discussion: “Driving Miss Daisy”
Barbara Carr, Biology
Faculty 12:30 p.m. | C-135
Tuesday, October 18
Café Conversation: Erin Tierney Kramp: Courage in the Face of Adversity
Erin Tierney Kramp Foundation & ETK Scholars
11 a.m. | S-101
Tuesday, November 8
Film & Discussion: “Freedom Writers”
Pebble Barbero, Biology
Faculty 7 p.m. | C-135
Wednesday, November 16
Café Conversation: History of Science
Larry Stern, Psychology Professor, Collin County College
12 p.m. | S-101
For more information, please contact co-chairs Barbara Carr (Adjunct Biology Faculty) at barbaracarr@dcccd.edu or 972-860-7140 or Dr. Rufel Ramos (English Faculty) at rramos@dcccd.edu or 972-860-7361. Visit our website at www.eastfieldcollege.edu/CommonBookProject
Eastfield College, one of the seven Dallas County Community Colleges, is located at 3737 Motley Drive in Mesquite, just north of I-30.