Reading Writing Connection

Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.
F. Bacon

A note of welcome

Welcome to Reading/Writing Connection.

A classroom is private place, a special place.  It is a privilege to enter a classroom and participate in the life of a course.  Attending college is not a universal right; it is a privilege.  Cherish this privilege.

Along with privilege comes responsibility. 

We have a responsibility to read. Let us take this seriously. Books are the vehicles of ideas. They open our minds to beauty and truth, enlarging our world.  . As we read we grow in in wisdom; we develop the means to  better substantiate our  opinions and arguments; and we gain a deeper understanding of our relationship to the world.

This growth in knowledge and wisdom brings a responsibility - the responsibility to become a better person.  Knowledge guides the formation of our character and being. We must respond by continually transforming ourselves, to be what we can be, what we were destined to be.  We must recall that there is no growth without change.

As as we change we should also sense a responsibility to our families, our communities, and the world. Dr. David Carter emphasizes "We have a responsibility that transcends ourselves" (Convocation  8/29/03). Reading and education empower us  to contribute to the world, to continue the creative process that we read about in Genesis. What a privilege to participate in the forward movement and growth of the world.

Dr. Marcia McGowan states that as we become transformed by reading we should "reflect, record,  and scrutinize ideas. We become more responsible for our ideas.  Responsibility means refusing to let others to the thinking for us" (August 29 2003 convocation).

Let us be our own  unique person, the person  we were destined to be. Let us voice our ideas.  Knowledge is a tool of liberation.  It is emancipation from the chains of ignorance.

I wish you great reading this semester, in future semesters, and throughout your life.  Be aware of your privilege to participate in the academic community and of your responsibility  to yourself, your family and the world.  Cherish the moments as time passes so quickly.  If we we don't cease the moment, it will pass us by. 

To quote Holbrook Jackson, "The end of reading is not more books, but more life"  Enjoy!

                                         Louise N. Walkup