An Educational Lunch at Rotary
The LEAP Center specializes in unique learning opportunities, and it’s pretty special to spend a day with a New York Times Bestselling author. And it’s particularly special when that author is Jeff Guinn, one of the genuinely nice guys in the book world.
Our day, of course, began at school, with a morning full of classes. For lunch, however, we to the Walker Education Center, where we had the opportunity to bring Guinn to speak to the Huntsville Rotary Club. Our visits to Rotary have always been friendly, and it was good to see friendly faces such as Derrick Birdsall, Mac and Leanne Woodward, Dr. Darren Williams, Rob Hipp, Ray Hernandez, Ken Holland, and others.
With Michelle Lyons as President taking care of business efficiently…
and Professor Yawn quickly introducing the author…
…it allowed Guinn maximum time to speak to the group. He mixed humor, tragedy, drama, and history, while discussing his work on Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage.
Worth noting, Guinn closed by praising Rotary and similar groups, which help foster trust in the community, preventing the type of discord that is now so prevalent in the years since the Waco standoff.
The audience was also lively, asking questions, offering comments, and giving Guinn a standing ovation at the end, ending with time for much interaction, catching up, and photographs.
On Campus with Jeff Guinn
SHSU is, of course, part of the community, and so it was to the campus we headed for the second event of the day with Jeff Guinn (he was a great trooper). Although we did not heavily market this afternoon event, we had 65 students (and Gene Roberts, whose Student Legal and Mediation Services was a co-sponsor of the event) attend, eager to hear about Guinn’s research and writing.
It was a run-through of sorts, with us getting the hang of event planning, public speaking, and using other division’s technology (not all laptops or projectors are the same!) Yvette Mendoza, a fourth-year LEAP Ambassador, did the introductions, and then Professor Yawn and Mr. Guinn took the “stage.”
What followed was more than an hour of interesting discussions, some great questions from the audience, and a lot of knowledge about cults, power, and tragedy.
Capping a Busy Day at 1836
While it was a busy day for us, it was a busier day for Guinn, who had driven in from Fort Worth early this morning. Nonetheless, he agreed to a dinner at 1836, where we joined Drs. Amy and Tim Salazar, Dr. Gene Roberts, and Professor Yawn and Ms. Stephanie.
It was two hours of fascinating discussions. Guinn shared stories of his subjects (Charles Manson, Santa Claus, Bonnie and Clyde, Jim Jones, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford), his research process, and the business of publishing. He also asked questions about LEAP, and he offered some nice words to us, comparing our program to programs on other campuses he visits. It was a nice to hear such nice things from an author of the stature of Guinn.
We also had the opportunity to visit with the Salazars, who moved to Texas less than a year ago. It was great to learn more about them, hear their ideas about education, and help us to think about careers and community in a new way. Moreover, Dr. Roberts and the Salazars found some things in common, particularly their interest in innovative ways to approach conflict resolution.
It was a productive and enjoyable evening, one that was a fitting cap for a productive and enjoyable day.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 