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S h a r i n g t h e i m pa c t o f p h i l a n t h r o p y a t M e r c e r s b u r g
Endowed Lectures Bring the World to Campus
O
n a December night in 2010, author James
McBride came to campus as part of the Jacobs Residency, made
McBride and his jazz ensemble held students and
possible by funding from the Morefield Family Endowment. Visits
faculty spellbound with a multimedia presentation that
from prominent writers, social activists, inventors, filmmakers, and
featured McBride reading from his work, interspersed
historians are made possible each year thanks to endowed funds that
with musical interludes. The following day, McBride held a writing workshop for a packed
cover the cost of bringing these speakers to campus. In addition to learning about issues such as the Arab Spring
house in Irvine Hall and led a master class with his ensemble for
and renewable resources, students are inspired by the passionate
the Academy Jazz Band. “The only person who sounds like you is
commitment, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and leadership that
you,” McBride told the student musicians. “Be prepared to take years
campus visitors embody.
working on your own sound.”
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