Every once in a while, I'm touched by something out of the ordinary. I had such an experience last week, when my department chair and I drove down to Parsons, KS, for the 37th Annual Jack and Ruth Gribben English Series at Labatte Community College. It was a small gathering, and we worked with Patty McGee, a writing consultant from New Jersey. Her presentation was good.
I think what really struck me about this series was that it was put on by a tiny community college in the middle of nowhere. We had roast beef and mashed potatoes for lunch. It felt very down home. This series was funded by Jack and Ruth Gribben, both of whom I believe have died. He was a printer who seemed to have a deep respect for the written word.
We always think of rural people as hicks and illiterates. At least, that's the way they're presented by the media. But, clearly, Jack and Ruth were educated and literate, and they cared enough to fund a series that would promote literacy for decades after their deaths.
These people weren't the Rockefellers, but they were generous with what they had. Series like this one are tiny little island of caring.
I'm impressed.
