Cal State East Bay Library to Pilot Faculty Lecture Series

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Bridget Ford

  • May 13, 2016

The Cal State East Bay University Libraries, the Pioneer Bookstore and the Provost’s Office are piloting a program highlighting the work of various CSUEB faculty and staff.

The inaugural event, a presentation by Associate Professor of history Bridget Ford, who recently published a book called “Bonds of Union: Religion, Race, and Politics in a Civil War Borderland,” will take place May 19 at noon in the library’s Biella Room.

Ford’s book explores the unselfish efforts of many during the Civil War to bridge divides despite their differences. She and other historians argue that many of the lessons from that era could be relevant and useful in dealing with the issues we face today. She also wants to help people rediscover the meaning of the word “union.”

 “‘Union’ has a strange air to it to people today,” she said. “People don’t necessarily recognize that it did represent something about national identity and the country. It meant much more to people of (the Civil War) era.”

Dean of Libraries John Wenzler said if Ford’s presentation is well-received, he hopes to start a regular series of faculty lectures.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about some original scholarship being done at CSUEB,” Wenzler said. “Public lectures in the library are an excellent opportunity for (faculty) to share their insights with colleagues from other disciplines across campus and with the broader East Bay Community."

More than 50 CSUEB faculty members have written books, many of which are available for purchase at the Pioneer Bookstore. Others are on display on the fourth floor of the Student Services and Administration building.

For more information about the event, email Dean Wenzler at john.wenzler@csueastbay.edu