Academics
Summer Reading Program
Outcasts United: An American Town, A Refugee Team and
One Woman’s Quest to Make a Difference
by Warren St. John
Programs and Events
August 18, 2012 1:30 pm, Moore Auditorium
- Screening of GOD GREW TIRED OF US; break-out group discussions following the film facilitated by Challengers
An award winning, critically acclaimed documentary, God Grew Tired of Us explores the indomitable spirit of three “Lost Boys” from the Sudan who are forced to leave their homeland due to a tumultuous civil war. The documentary chronicles their triumph over seemingly insurmountable adversities and a relocation to America, where the Lost Boys build active and fulfilling new lives but remain deeply committed to helping friends and family they have left behind.
August 28, 2012 11:00-12:00 pm, Moore Auditorium
- Opening Convocation, Keynote Address by Jeremy Lewis; Executive Director of CLARKSTON (GEORGIA) DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
The Clarkston Development Foundation (CDF) works closely with refugees, immigrants, U.S. Americans and other stakeholders to create a thriving, multicultural neighborhood community that celebrates diversity. CDF fosters community conversation and collaboration around areas most important to the community. CDF’s work centers around empowering all community members to create their own collective future.
September 17, 2012, 5:00-6:00 pm, Peterson (Blackwell Hall)
- CITIZEN U.S.A.: A 50 State Road Trip, Film & Conversation with Dr. Lucia Carter, Dr. Heather Hawn, Dr. Joanna Pierce & Dr. Barry Sharpe
Every year, nearly one million people become American citizens. Who are they? Why are they making this choice? Award winning filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi takes an look at the naturalization process in Citizen U.S.A.: A 50 State Road Trip. She attended naturalization ceremonies across the United States, and talked with notable first-generation Americans, including Madeline Albright, Arianna Huffington & Henry Kissinger. By looking at America through the eyes of our newest citizens, we can see how much we take for granted.
October 15, 7pm, Moore Auditorium
- An Evening with…Warren St. John, Author of OUTCASTS UNITED
Warren St. John is a feature writer for the New York Times, and has written for the New Yorker, Slate, Wired and the New York Observer. He’s author of the best selling book Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer: A Road Trip into Fan Mania. His latest book is Outcasts United, the 2012 Summer Reading choice for Mars Hill College.
In the 1990s, Clarkston, Georgia, became a resettlement center for refugees from war zones in Liberia, Congo, Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan. The town also became home to Luma Mufleh, an American-educated Jordanian woman who founded a youth soccer team to help keep Clarkston’s boys off the streets. These boys named themselves the Fugees — short for refugees.
Outcasts United follows a season in the life of the Fugees, their families and their coach as they struggle to build new lives in a town overwhelmed by change..