Times' Reporter Recalls Life in Liberia

Angela Renaud EdD, dean of the John Hazen White School of Arts & Sciences, heard New York Times reporter Helene Cooper on the radio talking about her recent memoir detailing her family’s flight from Liberia to the United States. Learning that the author’s career in journalism began at The Providence Journal and knowing Rhode Island is home to the second largest Liberian population in the United States, Renaud decided “The House at Sugar Beach” was the perfect book for the first Campus Reads project.

During the 2009–10 fall and winter terms, Cooper’s book was incorporated into many arts and sciences classes. A group of volunteers, led by English Department chair, Donna Thomsen, developed a month-long exploration of Liberia open to the entire campus community that included film, theater, group book discussions and an art exhibit. Former Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) spoke at The Yena Center about overseeing the first election held in Liberia after a decade of civil war. Through photographs of the time, Chafee cited the passionate spirit of the country’s people and their hope for a peaceful future.

A lecture by Cooper in February was the culmination of Campus Reads. She read passages from her memoir, including those on her 1987 journey to Rhode Island to start her first job after college. “I feel like I’ve come home in so many ways,” said Cooper to an audience of students, faculty, staff and members of Rhode Island’s Liberian community. She happily greeted those waiting patiently in the long line to have their copies of “The House at Sugar Beach” autographed.

above: New York Times reporter Helene Cooper spoke at Xavier Auditorium in February and autographed her book for a student.

Local Motors Founder Maps Highway to Success
The bottom line for John “Jay” Rogers? To make cool cars. That was the driving force behind Local Motors, in Wareham, Mass., a custom design car manufacturer with a twist. Car designs are determined by vote of an online community. Just hearing the passion when he speaks is a giveaway that Rogers, who came to the campus in February as the Distinguished Visiting Professor for the School of Technology, is a car buff. Perhaps it is in his genes.

In 1901 Rogers’ grandfather co-founded Indian Motorcycle. Yet Rogers’ own career path took a number of interesting turns — banking, specialty medical equipment, the Marines at age 27 — before he followed his heart to the car industry. He financed his dream with his “go to hell fund” — money he had saved so he would have the freedom to tell an employer “where to go.”

Known for its “Rally Fighter,” Local Motors produces customized vehicles suitable for the Baja 500 or a weekend romping around the desert. This is a company with a mission: Lead the next generation of automotive manufacturing, design and technology by revolutionizing the industry with gamechanging, efficient vehicles and an unprecedented standard of customer service.

Rogers’ advice to the students? It is never too late to do what you want to do.