UNF Reads! Events
Current Events
"Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John
(2012 - 2013)
Refugee Services Panel
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 6:00pm-7:30pm Andrew Robinson Theater
Panelists from various local refugee services organizations will discuss the Jacksonville refugee population and the resources that are available for refugees. Local refugees will be invited to share their stories. Also the refugee services organizations will be doing a toothbrush drive at the event to benefit local refugees. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to bring a new toothbrush to donate. For more information, contact Dr. Leslie Kaplan (leslie.kaplan@unf.edu).
Refugee Film Week
“Pray the Devil Back to Hell”
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 7:00pm Andrew Robinson Theater
A group of women rise up to bring peace to Liberia and help bring to power the country's first female head of state. For more information, visit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1202203/.
Movies on the House Presents: “God Grew Tired of Us”
Thursday, October 4, 2012 7:00pm Andrew Robinson Theater
Four boys from Sudan embark on a journey to America after years of wandering Sub-Saharan Africa in search of safety. For more information visit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0301555/.
Warren St. John Class Visit / Leadership Speaker's Bureau
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 1:00pm Building 57/Room 1100A
As a part of the Leadership Speaker's Bureau, Warren St. John, author of Outcasts United, will engage the Talking Values and Effective Leadership classes in a question and answer time focused on the lessons in leadership that can be learned from the story of the Fugees, and the values demonstrated by some of the individuals highlighted in the book. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend. The Institute for Values, Community and Leadership will provide light refreshments.
An Evening with Warren St. John
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 6:00pm Andrew Robinson Theater
Warren St. John will speak on the transitions and transformations that many students experience during their first year of college and how they relate to the experiences of resettled refugees. A book signing opportunity will immediately follow the lecture.
Refugee Soccer Tournament
Saturday, November 17, 2012 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. UNF Stadium
This soccer tournament will be held to benefit local refugee populations. Local refugee children, coached by UNF Honors students, will compete in the tournament. UNF students will have the opportunity to donate items for the refugees. More information on the donation drive will follow. This event is sponsored by the Honors Program, the UNF Men's Soccer Team, and the Sport Management Program. For more information, contact Dr. Leslie Kaplan (leslie.kaplan@unf.edu).
Vote for the Fugee Family Organization
The Fugees Family, a non-profit organization aimed at helping child survivors of war rebuild their lives through education, which is the subject of the UNF Reads! book "Outcasts United," is competing in a voting competition to win $1 million through the Chase Community Giving Award. With the money, the Fugees Family will be able to build the first school for refugees in the country. Voting is from today Tuesday, Nov. 27, through Tuesday, Dec. 4. Daily voting is permitted at www.votefugees.org, and those with a Chase account receive an extra vote daily when voting at www.chasegiving.com. For more information about The Fugees Family, visit http://www.fugeesfamily.org/.
Honors Poster Presentations
Tuesday, December 4, 2012 6:00pm – 800pm Location: Crossing Residence Hall, Building Q
Honors Students will make presentations about their volunteer projects with refugee families and research that they have done regarding the local refugee population. These posters will be presented in a conference-style format. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Dr. Leslie Kaplan (leslie.kaplan@unf.edu).
Past Events
"Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John
(2011-2012)
Book Discussion Groups during Week of Welcome August 21, 2011 1:30pm
WOW leaders will facilitate book discussions with incoming freshmen focused on the theme of transformation.
Ask the Author with Warren St. John
August 21, 2011 2:15pm
Students will have the opportunity to participate in an interview session with Outcasts United author Warren St. John during Week of Welcome.
New Student Convocation Address by Warren St. John
August 21, 2011 4:00pm
New Student Convocation marks the official beginning of a student's journey as an Osprey. Mr. Warren St. John will serve as the keynote speaker at Convocation, and address the students about transformation and transition.
Outcasts United Book Signing
August 21, 2011 5:15pm -5:45pm
The UNF Bookstore will host a book signing with Warren St. John. Come and meet and greet with the author!
Movies on the House Presents: Biutiful
August 25, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Building 14A, Andrew A Robinson Jr. Theater
Movies on the House opens its fall 2011 season in Robinson Theater with "Biutiful," starring Javier Bardem. This film centers on immigrants in Spain. There will be free popcorn and prizes. For more information, visit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1164999/ or contact Jason Mauro at 620-1383.
Refugees in Jacksonville Panel Discussion
September 6, 2011 6:00pm-7:30pm Building 14A, Andrew A Robinson Jr. Theater
A panel of local refugee support agency personnel will discuss refugee experiences in Jacksonville. Come and learn more about the lives of refugees and the process of resettlement, with a focus on the local experience. There will be a series of short presentations on the profile of a refugee, the challenges, the resettlement process, and how to help. You will have a chance to get all your questions answered by people who work with refugees on a daily basis.
UNF Emeriti Book Club Discussion
September 14, 2011 10am Alumni Hall Board Room
Dr. Leslie Kaplan, Scholarship Coordinator and Instructor in Honors, will facilitate this book discussion on Outcasts United. Students will have the opportunity to dialogue with UNF alumni about their perspectives on the book. For more information, contact Laura Berthiaume at 620-2490.
Refugee Film Week
The Devil Came on Horseback
October 4, 2011 7:00pm Building 14A, Andrew A Robinson Jr. Theater
The Honors Program will present the film "The Devil Came on Horseback" starring Nicholas Kristof and Brian Steidle. This documentary exposes the genocide raging in Darfur, Sudan as seen through the eyes of a former U.S. marine who returns home to make the story public.
Movies on the House Presents: The Visitor
October 6, 2011 6:00pm Building 14A, Andrew A Robinson Jr. Theater
Movies on the House will present the film "The Visitor" starring Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman and Danai Gurira . This film is about a college professor who travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a Syrian musician, a Senegalese street vendor living in his apartment. For more information, visit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0857191/ or contact Jason Mauro at 620-1383.
Refugee Benefit Drives
Soccer Equipment Drive
October 1 – October 8, 2011 Student Union
Bring new or gently used soccer equipment to the Sports Management Program table in the Student Union. UNF Honors The equipment will be used by local refugee children during a Fall soccer skills camp hosted by UNF Honors students. For more information contact Jasmine Stanley at jasmine.stanley@unf.edu.
Clothing Drive
Each Wednesday in October 10:00am – 3:00pm Student Union Plaza
New or gently used clothing will be collected each Wednesday in October from at the Student Union’s Market Days event. This drive will benefit local refugees. For more information contact Jasmine Stanley at jasmine.stanley@unf.edu.
Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A
October 12, 2011 5:00pm – 7:00pm St. John’s Town Center Chick-Fil-A
Proceeds from the event will also benefit local refugee organizations. For more information contact Jasmine Stanley at jasmine.stanley@unf.edu.
Family Weekend Outcasts United Book Discussion
October 14, 2011 2:00pm-3:00pm Student Union Ballrooms (58W/ 3601)
Dr. John Frank, Academic Coordinator in the Institute for Values, Community, and Leadership, will facilitate this book discussion on Outcasts United. Parents and students are welcome to attend! To register for Family Weekend visit http://www.unf.edu/parents/family_weekend.aspx.
Making a Difference: Turning Your Passion into Action at the Student Leadership Summit
October 28, 2011 10:45 a.m.-12:00 noon Student Union Ballrooms (58W/ 3rd floor)
The Institute for Values, Community, and Leadership will host the 3rd annual Student Leadership Summit, which will feature this breakout session with Joan Hecht, founder and president of the Alliance for The Lost Boys of Sudan, along with several "Lost Boys." Joan Hecht’s compassion and dedication to bettering lives is one that will literally lift you off your seat and keep you captivated with anticipation. After witnessing the need for change, Ms. Hecht turned her values into action when she assisted many young Sudanese men to start a new life in America and established a Foundation to support education for the Lost Boys as well as several economic development projects in Sudan. You will be enthralled as this gripping breakout session changes the way you look at everyday life with tales of courage, faith, family and her resolve to assure the survival and future of The Lost Boys of Sudan. Students are invited to this free event, but you must register online at http://www.unf.edu/taylor-leadership/student_leadership_summit/registration.aspx.
The World in Our Backyard: Locating Jacksonville's Refugee Communities
November 15, 2011 6:00pm-7:30pm Building 14A, Andrew A Robinson Jr. Theater
Using GIS mapping technology, Honors students will create a map of public markers of immigrant communities (i.e. churches, stores, and restaurants) to gain knowledge about how and where immigrants settle in Jacksonville. On November 15th the students will present the results of their GIS mapping project. All are welcome to come hear their findings!
'Kickin' It For Refugees Soccer Fun Day'
Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Building Q-S, Osprey Crossings, South field by Lot 17
This soccer tournament will be held in the Fall semester to benefit local refugee populations. Local refugee children, coached by UNF Honors students, will compete at the tournament.The tournament is a partnership between Honors students and students in the Sport Management Program. Throughout the Fall semester, students from the Sports Management Program will host a table at Market Wednesdays to generate support for needed equipment (i.e. shin guards and cleats). Visit the table each Wednesday in the Student Union Plaza from 10am-4pm. For more information contact Dr. Danielle Mincey-White (d.mincey-white@unf.edu) or Dr. Leslie Kaplan (leslie.kaplan@unf.edu).
Center for Professional Development and Training Book Club
Fall 2011
CPDT has adopted Outcasts United as its book club selection for Fall 2011. Faculty, staff, and student university employees should contact the CPDT office at (904) 620-1707 for more information.
Academic Center for Excellence Annual Writing Contest
November 14, 2011 - February 17, 2012
Students are encouraged to display their creative writing skills by submitting entries in the Poetry, Short Fiction, and Creative Non-Fiction categories. The UNF Reads selection, Outcasts United, is the subject of the Creative Non-Fiction category. Entries in this category must be from the perspective of the student’s personal experiences and must also relate to the types of social change and desire for community depicted in Outcasts United. The deadline for entries is February 17, 2012. For contest rules and submission guidelines, please visit the ACE website at http://www.unf.edu/ace/writing_contest.aspx.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors: Game Theory in Everyday Life" by Len Fisher
(2010 - 2011)
UNF Reads Across the Curriculum
In addition to being utilized in ENC 1101 freshman writing courses, Rock, Paper, Scissors was incorporated into more than 40 course sections across multiple disciplines during the Fall 2010 semester. Some of these include Venture Studies first year seminars, Honors first year seminars, and General Education courses.
Book Discussion Groups during Week of Welcome
August 21, 2010
WOW leaders facilitated book discussions with incoming freshmen focused on game theory and other topics featured in Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Workshop on Rock, Paper, Scissors at the UNF Student Summit by Linda Howell
October 15, 2010
The successful book Rock, Paper, Scissors, written by Len Fisher, discusses game theory and how it illuminates social behavior. The theory, which relates to how we influence one another, may seem complex at first glance, by simply put, it's a study of the decisions we make when interacting with other people. In this session our faculty expert, Linda Howell, demonstrated how we can step up and learn the fine art of cooperating with our peers.
CPDT Book Club DiscussionThe UNF Center for Professional Development and Training hosted a book club discussion centered on Rock, Paper, Scissors in November, 2010.
"A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future" by David Pink
(2009 - 2010)
Film Screening: Everyday Creativity with Dewitt Jones
August 22, 2009
OFE Workshop: Engaging the Whole New Mind: Creativity and UNF Reads!
September 2, 2009
Are colleges adequately preparing students for an ever-changing work environment? How can faculty encourage students to engage in creative problem solving? During this session, Dr. Susan Vasana, Electrical Engineering, led a discussion on how to facilitate creativity in student problem solving. Dr. Marnie Jones, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, discussed the UNF Reads program and how faculty can use portions of the book, "A Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink, in their class discussions and assignments. Daniel Pink suggests that students today should develop creative thinking skills to be competitive in the changing economy.
Workshop on A Whole New Mind at the UNF Student Summit by David Hayes
October 16, 2009
This hands-on session introduced students to the "six senses" upon which professional success and personal satisfaction will depend. They were encouraged to master these, unleash their "whole mind", and thrive!
Parents Weekend Book Discussion
October 23, 2009
Book discussion session led by Dr. Marnie Jones
Creativity Contests
- Osprey Spirit 3-D Art Contest-- Students were invited to express their Osprey spirit by creating a 3-D piece of artwork made completely out of recyclable materials!
- Anti-Litter Campaign Poster Contest-- Students were invited to create a poster to discourage littering using a creative slogan and original artwork! This contest was sponsored by Physical Facilities and the UNF Environmental Center.
Honors Book Club discussions on A Whole New Mind
"Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
(2008 - 2009)
Book Discussion Groups
Sessions in the Residence Halls (led by faculty members) and for commuter students (led by Economics students)
Parents Weekend Book Discussion
October 18, 2008
Book discussion led by Dr. Marnie Jones and a group of students on the "Do Parents Really Matter" chapter of the book.
Class Presentation
Class presentation session by author Steven Levitt
"An Evening with Steven Levitt," Presidential Lecture
October 28, 2008
