Instead of quiet students searching through textbooks and T-shirts, the College Bookstore will soon host both authors and readers in its first-ever faculty book-signing event.
The first book-signing is on Feb. 18. The featured authors are Professor of Political Economy Gary Wolfram, Associate Professor of History Richard Gamble, Professor of Economics Ivan Pongracic, and Visiting Assistant Professor of History Darryl Hart.
“It’s only natural. I mean, we have so many books authored by faculty,” Trade Book Coordinator Angie Berry said. “They can share their knowledge. They’re here to teach, and we’re here to learn, so it’s a win-win.”
The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m., and the featured books will be on sale at 15 percent off.
The February book-signing will inaugurate what Berry hopes will be a regular event at the college bookstore.
“One of our goals is to unite students and faculty. We’re here to support the college,” Berry said. “The bookstore is trying to reach out more to the college and to the community as a whole. We’re trying to get the bookstore out there.”
Wolfram said he was looking forward to participating in the first book-signing event.
“I think it’s a good idea. I think it’s fun. It’s sort of like a baseball card,” he said. “There are lots of people out there who are fans of Hillsdale College. I wish I had gotten more books signed while I was at Berkeley. I had professors who have won the Nobel Prize, and I have their textbooks.”
Gamble said he was honored to be asked to participate.
“I think it’s a great idea for the bookstore to feature books from the faculty,” he said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for students.”
The next event will be on March 18. The two confirmed professors are Assistant Professor of English Dutton Kearney and John Miller, director of the Dow Journalism Program.
“We’ve had such favorable responses. We’re really looking forward to it,” Berry said. “My original goal was to feature every author who has written a book. I’m hoping that next year, we’ll be able to expand on this.”
Wolfram said the book-signing offered good opportunities for students and other readers.
“I think it’s good to know your professors are out there,” he said. “If someone gets a signed book, maybe it’ll get them to read it or maybe it’ll get others to read it.”
Gamble said the event also benefits authors as well.
“So often, writing and publishing can be a faceless activity,” he said. “When writing a book or an article, it often ends up in the hands of people you never meet. You’re writing for a nameless, faceless audience. That’s not easy to do. It’s very rewarding for authors to meet flesh and blood people.”
Berry said the signing also offers students a chance to meet faculty members they might otherwise never have met.
“We’re all people, and we all have something to share,” she said. “Our faculty is full of fascinating people.”
