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A Big Orange Addition to the Literary Landscape
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Political commentator and best-selling author Mark Levin, right, is presented with Chapman’s Presidential Medal for Distinguished Contributions to the Cause of Freedom and Liberty by President Jim Doti during the Big Orange Book Festival on campus.
rom fantasy writers who dressed in costume to provocative political commentators and literary titans, the lineup for the Big Orange Book Festival at Chapman University offered something for everyone. Book lovers from throughout Southern California attended the festival’s two days of events in September, featuring acclaimed authors, poets and other storytellers. It was all capped by the festival’s closing speaker, Alice Sebold, author of The Lovely Bones. There was also a celebration of the beloved novel To Kill a Mockingbird and the 50th anniversary of its adaptation to film. Mary Badham, the actress who played Scout, gave a talk before a free screening of the movie in Memorial Hall. In addition, the festival showcased many local and budding writers who took advantage of open-reading stages. What’s more, published faculty members
and alumni from throughout the Chapman community led discussions about the craft of writing fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and adapting books to the screen. “One of our goals was to create a forum for diverse points of view, something the university has long celebrated and valued,” said Mark Woodland, vice president of Chapman’s Department of Strategic Marketing and Communications, which planned the festival. Among the keynote authors were conservative radio personality and author Mark Levin and The Daily Show creator and author Lizz Winstead. Plans are already in the works for a second festival in 2013, with the event moving to October. To view video highlights from this year’s event and link to the festival’s website and Facebook page, visit www.chapman.edu/magazine.
Librería Martínez Rededicated as a Hub of Culture and Education
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CHAPMAN MAGAZINE
Photo by Jeanine Hill
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beloved bookstore that sprouted from the barbershop of Orange County cultural leader Ruebén Martínez and grew to become a literary landmark is now a part of Chapman University. The renovated bookstore at 216 N. Broadway in Santa Ana reopened as Librería Martínez de Chapman University with a festive ribbon-cutting and open house in October. With Martínez’s guidance and collaborative leadership, Chapman University assumes responsibility for the bookstore’s operations and retail operation, as well as opportunities for donor support. All proceeds from the store will be channeled into literacy and cultural programs at the store. The new partnership is rich with opportunities for both Chapman students and the community at large, said Don Cardinal, dean of the College of Educational Studies, under whose wing Librería Martínez will operate. Cardinal said he envisioned the store becoming an educational engine that will boost an interest in higher education among the city’s youth. “Here we can be part of the community,” Cardinal said. “Then when it’s time to plan a new program, it’s a program designed of the community, not just for the community.” Martínez founded the bookstore in 1993, after an informal lending library he operated from his barbershop blossomed into a community hub. The barbershop eventually gave way to the bookstore, which has hosted literary luminaries from Isabel Allende to Rudolfo Anaya. In 2004, Martínez received a MacArthur Fellowship “genius grant” in recognition of his community activism and work on behalf of literacy. He currently serves as a Distinguished Presidential Fellow at Chapman University. He was granted an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters by Chapman in 2011.
“Librería Martinez de Chapman University — it has a very good ring to it now,” Chapman Distinguished Presidential Fellow Rueben Martinez says of the bookstore he founded in 1993.