Author Paul Loeb will offer his internationally respected perspective on the importance of engaging with the political and social issues in a presentation, Soul of a Citizen, from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, in Dever Auditorium at Westfield State College.
The event is part of the college’s Guest Lecture Series and the Westfield State Foundation Speaker Series, which are free and open to the public.
Loeb’s most recent books are The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear and Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time.
"Paul Loeb’s philosophy of social responsibility and hope is a vital and timely message for our students and the broader community to hear,” said Evan S. Dobelle, president of Westfield State College. “The college is pleased to be able to offer the community an opportunity to meet an author and speaker of this caliber.”
In his books and widespread lectures, Loeb gets beyond prevailing media stereotypes to understand the struggle of students to find their place in a confusing world. He looks at how citizens can gain the moral, political, and intellectual tools to take responsibility for the future. He will urge students not only to vote, but to become active citizens.
He has written on social involvement for The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Psychology Today, Utne Reader, and several other major magazines and newspapers. He's been interviewed on CNN, NPR, PBS, C-SPAN, NBC TV, the BBC, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, American Urban Radio, and national German and Australian radio.
Loeb has lectured at more than 300 college campuses and at numerous national conferences. His January 2002 talk at the annual provost's conference of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities inspired what is now a 200-campus American Democracy Project. He is also an affiliate scholar at Seattle's Center for Ethical Leadership.
Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, said, “Paul Loeb brings hope for a better world in a time when we so urgently need it.”
Loeb will also lead a workshop, “Teaching for Engagement,” at the Faculty Center in Parenzo Hall from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
“This should be a good, lively conversation about ways we can include civic activism and paying attention to current events into our work with students,” said Tom Gardner, associate professor of communication who arranged Loeb’s visit. “We are hoping that the event will help promote voter registration and civic activism by Westfield students.”
There will be a voter registration table, staffed by MassPIRG, at Loeb’s 4 p.m. talk and the author will sign books after the lecture. The Residential Life Passport Program, President's Office, Department of Communication and Department of Political Science are also sponsors of the event.
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