Southern University Literary Society plans activities to encourage students to read

The Southern University Literary Society will feature several activities this spring allowing students and faculty to expand their horizons.
Activities will include book reviews, a lecture series on “Freedom in a Global Society and a reader’s series featuring local and regional artists reading their works.
“Exposing students to local writers, cements the relationship between SU and the Baton Rouge, Scottlandville community,” said Jo Ann Marx, first-chairperson of the SU Literary Society.
Most of the writers in the reader’s series come from the community and most of the works deal with the culture and life of African Americans.
“In a society where reading is not stressed enough and technology is so prevalent, my hope is that the literary society will serve as a stimulus for students to read more,” said William Moore, chemistry professor and founder of the SU Literary Society.
In 1992 during Moore’s term as vice chancellor of academic affairs, he issued a survey to students to get an idea of how much they knew about African American writers.
The survey asked “Have you ever heard of Richard Wright?” Four out of five students had never heard of him. This inspired Moore to begin the SU Literary Society through the English department. Though it was designed for students, he believed that it was also a community school wide issue as well.
In previous years, activities consisted of only book reviews but in order to attract the students to attend, more activities were provided for all interests.
Broad topics such as “Globalization and Democracy: Is Democracy Possible on a Global Scale,” gives students the opportunity to look at race and society different perspectives.
Book reviews are scheduled for March 18 and April 22 in the Ballroom. The remaining readings are scheduled for March 19 and April 23 in the Blue and Gold Room. All reviews are from 7 to 8 p.m.
” Our goal is to entice students to read more and make them aware that there are writers in the community,” said Dr. Marx.
The SU Literary Society, The Office of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Richard Webb, dean of The College of Arts and Humanities, are the contributors that have made these events possible.