Yale Bulletin and Calendar

February 28, 2003|Volume 31, Number 20

The Book Club gathering was a family affair for Diane Curtis and her children Gabrielle, 5, Sydney, 7, Brianna, 12, and Whitney, 7, who all attend the Edgewood Magnet School.

Campus event draws New Haven
schoolchildren who 'THINK BIG'

Over 250 children and parents from New Haven gathered at University Commons on Feb. 22 for an event sponsored by The Ben Carson Yale University Book Club.

The day's activities included word games, with participants trying their hand at Boggle, word puzzles and word bingo. Winners of the word contests also got an extra chance to win one of the many prizes awarded throughout the event. A video featuring a message by Carson was followed by prize drawings conducted by members of the Office of New Haven and State Affairs. The event culminated with a celebratory cake.

Dr. Benjamin Carson, who was raised in poverty and did poorly in school for many years, described in his autobiography, "Gifted Hands," how his life changed for the better once he embraced reading. A 1973 Yale College graduate, he is now director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and a Yale trustee. The book club that bears his name and is sponsored by the University is an incentive program designed to mobilize the community to encourage young people to read, weigh television-viewing choices and to earn "THINK BIG" prizes by supporting club members throughout the city.

The main branch of the New Haven Free Public Library serves as headquarters for the book club, with the library branches providing satellite club sites throughout the city. The program includes students in grades 2-6. Members were recruited through schools, churches and community centers. Groups currently running youth programs in New Haven may incorporate Carson's "THINK BIG" philosophy into their programs and encourage all students to read, strive for academic excellence and become strong humanitarians.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Two faculty elected to National Academy of Engineering

Stern reappointed as School of Architecture dean

New website showcases Yale's global initiatives

Unions declare intent to strike

Thompson cited for work on African and Afro-American art

'Father of fractals' discusses 'essential' role of math in life

Noted historian Garry Wills will deliver the Tanner Lectures

Event to explore how lawyers can use media to tell their clients' stories

Campus event draws New Haven schoolchildren who 'THINK BIG'

One of the recording industry's youngest executives . . .

Study reveals consumers want more data from weight-loss programs

Parents show no risk of heart attack when witnessing children's surgeries

Bright Beginnings receives grant in support of its work . . .

Campus Notes

Yale Books in Brief