August 31, 2016
‘Soul of a Citizen’ author to speak at SIU
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Paul Rogat Loeb has an impressive endorsement list: Bill Moyers said he is “part of what’s good about this world;” Susan Sontag said he is “something of a national treasure,” and Kurt Vonnegut said “smart people who have some influence on the course of history will read and admire you.”
Southern Illinois University Carbondale students and members of the community will have the chance to decide for themselves what they think about Loeb and his ideas when he delivers the Michael and Nancy Glassman Honors Program Distinguished Lecture on Sept. 6.
The lecture, “Soul of a Citizen: Making Your Voice Heard and Your Actions Count,” begins at 7:30 p.m. in Student Center Ballroom B. Admission is free.
Loeb is the author of “Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time” and “The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear.” As the book titles suggest, Loeb is a champion of inspiration and action despite feelings of powerlessness and cynicism.
Reviewers describe “Soul of a Citizen” as “the handbook for budding social activists, veteran organizers and anybody who wants to make a change -- big or small -- in the world around them.”
Loeb’s focus is on the individual -- how individual people can “make their lives matter” one step at a time. He uses anecdotes and success stories to inspire and inform with the goal of encouraging individuals to become active and to take steps to bring about social change where they see the need.
The University Honors Program sponsors Loeb’s visit to SIU. An endowment from Nancy Kreftmeyer Glassman makes the annual Michael and Nancy Glassman Distinguished Lecture possible.