Personal Libraries

As my freshman year comes to an end, I am increasingly aware of the lessons that I have learned throughout this wonderful experience. On the first day of McConnell Scholar orientation, it became apparent that the 10 "McFreshmen" had a lot in common. It soon became obvious that we would continue to have something in common - we would all read...a lot!

Dr. Gregg took us 10 young Scholars to a used bookstore during Orientation. He gave each of us $30 and urged us to purchase as many book as possible. After leaving the bookstore with our treasures, Dr. Gregg told us that we should all strive to create our own personal libraries...Well, I have.

I immediately bought a trunk - like one from the Harry Potter movies. It’s like I was carrying an empty shell when I entered the University of Louisville, but now… Oh now! Over the course of the two semesters here, I have filled the trunk with the few books that I have bought on my own and the many books that were issued through the McConnell Scholars Program.

I now have 87 books!... That’s 87 new books filled with ideas and imaginative ideas that I would have never known before, 87 new titles and authors that could be the key to a new passion. Thank you, McConnell Center, for instilling in me the need to create my own personal library, and thank you for providing me with such great books and introducing me to great ideas.

Favorite Books and Discussions

• More's Utopia led by Dr. Dale Billingsley
• Shakespeare's The Tempest led by Dr. Dale Billingsley
• Eliot's Four Quartets led by Dr. Brad Birzer
• Plato's Apology led by Dr. Gary Gregg
• Dreher's Crunchy Cons
  
• Hayward's Greatness: Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill

- Benjamin Whitlock, Class of 2015