Leatherby Libraries Homecoming Weekend a Success!
October 23, 2014
Reflecting on Chapman’s Homecoming Weekend 2014, the Leatherby Libraries would like to thank all who attended our wonderful events and the families that visited Chapman University! The Leatherby Libraries was well-represented this year with several compelling talks and entertaining celebrations.
Friday
Jessica Bowers presenting her lecture on Mayan texts.
Both of our Friday lectures were well-attended and very successful. Most Mayan texts were destroyed during colonization, and only a few fragments of the texts remain. Jessica Bower, librarian at the Leatherby Libraries, discussed her research during her faculty master class on these mysterious texts, using visual examples from the library’s collection.
Later that day, Dean Charlene Baldwin spoke about “How Special Collections Support Student Research and Learning” at Dialogue with the Dean. In the
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections & Archives
, students have a chance to interact with history and scholarship at a more immediate level by looking at original documents and artifacts from the past. At Dean Baldwin’s talk, guests handled some of the library’s most unique treasures—including ancient illuminated manuscripts, vintage editions of TIME Magazine and Dr. Vernon Smith’s Nobel Prize. (This event was co-sponsored by the
Charles C. Chapman Heritage Society
.
Pieces from Andrew Carroll’s extensive military archive.
A visitor dawning white gloves to more thoroughly examine the burlap book,
5 Year Plan
. Pieces from Andrew Carroll’s extensive military archive.
Guests at both events enjoyed the opportunity to get up close and personal with these books and artifacts – whether that was the facsimile of the Dresden Codex or the pages of the Nuremberg Chronicle.
Saturday
On Saturday, the library hosted its inaugural Homecoming Book Sale on the Attallah Piazza. This sale brought in over $500 for the library’s use, selling gently used books throughout the day. Only $1 each, the table was great for families coming back from Chapman 5K or the Chili Cook-Off. Chapman alumnus Dick Immel ’56 was our special guest at the booth, selling his memoir
Damn Californians: A Family’s Great Escape
and telling his story to many of our visitors
Inside the library, the
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives
and
Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library
hosted an open house all weekend long. This allowed families, students, and visitors to explore the arts and treasures of the beautiful Leatherby Libraries, meet some of the staff and librarians, and learn more about the many programs, awards, benefits and services offered to Chapman University graduate and undergraduate students, alumni, faculty and community members. A self-guided tour of the arts and displays of the Leatherby Libraries was also available. We also set up a welcome table at the reference desk, providing flyers and library giveaways.
Sunday
Finally, we hosted a table at the Big Band Bubbly Brunch on Sunday to honor the winners of the Cheverton Award.
Pictured from left to right: Dorothy Parr ’54, Michal K. Doesburg ’71, Loraine Cheverton Lacey, Mohammed K. Salih ’79 and Dean Charlene Baldwin of the Leatherby Libraries
Thanks to all who visited, attended our events and contributed to this Homecoming Weekend to make it such a success!
