In this episode Kathryn Harris speaks about how she became a librarian and how that decision culminated in her position as Library Services Director at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL. Ms. Harris is known for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman and other historical figures. Through her portrayals she brings history to life for children and adults throughout the years.

Kathryn Harris, retired Director of Library Services at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum speaks about her life and family growing up in Carbondale. She also tells me how her experience as a student worker in Morris Library affected her later career. She remembers some of the Morris Library luminaries, Allen Cohn and John Y. Simon.

Greg graduated in 2008 with a BS in Zoology and a 2019 masters degree in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management. He discusses his mentors at Touch of Nature, Eric Oberg and Steve Garipy. His masters project Paddle for Patriots, took him down the length of the Mississippi River in a kayak. That trip raised $27,000 for veterans at SIUC

Robert Hartley co-authored Death Underground with David Kenney, published by the Southern Illinois University Press in 2006. We speak with him this week because December 22 will be the 70th anniversary of the mine explosion in West Frankfort that killed 119 miners. Coal mines have been core to the Southern Illinois economy. It touched the lives of countless families throughout the region. 

We discuss the process of writing this history and his craft. He also explains the strength of his collaboration with SIUC political scientist, David Kenney.

Steven Dew was the Lincoln Academy Laureate from SIU while an undergraduate. He talks about his Honors Program classes and the faculty who made an impact on his life. The faculty he mentions are Dennis Galloway, Radio and Television and Jan Thompson, Journalism. He worked on one of the early videos for the SIU Day of Giving, 2018 working with Rebecca Renshaw and Britni Bateman.

Jeremy Finley talks about his career as an investigative reporter for WSMV in Nashville, TN. He has gone undercover to document corruption and traveled the world to report his stories.

Jeremy is the Chief Investigative Reporter for WSMV TV in Nashville, TN. He has received a National Edward 4 Murrow award for investigative reporting and a National Emmy nomination for investigative reporting. Jeremy also has published two novels, The Darkest Time of Night, and, The Dark Above.

General Larry O. Spencer completed his SIUC undergraduate degree in Industrial Technology without ever stepping on the Carbondale campus. He took his classes on one of the many military bases served by the SIU Extended Campus program. General Spencer has an inspiring story to tell. He wrote it down in his book, Dark Horse: General Larry O. Spencer and His Journey from Horseshoe to the Pentagon, is being released November 15. Dark Horse: General Larry O. Spencer and His Journey from the Horseshoe to the Pentagon: Spencer USAF (Ret.), Gen. Larry O.: 9781682477021: AmazonSmile: Books

Juana and her family immigrated from Cheran, Michoaca, Mexico in 1995. They settled in Cobden, IL where they found work in the many apple orchards. They also found a growing community made up of other immigrants from Michoacan. Juana faced many obstacles as she pursued her education but she also found mentors at SIU to encourage pursuit. She is a talented artist who recently had her paintings on exhibition in Morris Library.

Todd talks about his time at SIU and how he and his roommate loaded up a trailer and, the day after graduation, headed for fame and fortune in New York City. The fame and fortune was not as planned but he did find a marvelous career in book publishing. We also talked about his new book, Little Pieces of Hope: Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World.