Common Book Author Bill Strickland to Speak Oct. 7 in Byrnes Auditorium

Quick Facts

Strickland will speak Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. in Byrnes Auditorium about encouraging others to seek passion and excellence in their own lives.

In “Make the Impossible Possible,” Strickland describes how as a social entrepreneur, he built community connections in his native Pittsburgh and solved complex problems.

Bill Strickland

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Author Bill Strickland, a MacArthur Fellowship "genius" award recipient and founder of a successful jobs training center in Pittsburgh, Penn., will bring his hope and achievement message to Winthrop on Oct. 7-8.

He wrote “Make the Impossible Possible,” Winthrop’s seventh common book.

Strickland will speak Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. in Byrnes Auditorium about encouraging others to seek passion and excellence in their own lives. Incoming students have discussed the book in their freshmen course, ACAD 101, while area book clubs have examined Strickland’s inspiring and pragmatic philosophy, according to University College Dean Gloria Jones.

Strickland will speak during a leadership series at 11 a.m. Oct. 7 at Carroll Hall and to various classes, student and faculty groups during his two-day stay.

In “Make the Impossible Possible,” Strickland describes how as a social entrepreneur, he built community connections in his native Pittsburgh and solved complex problems. His success as president-CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation and its subsidiaries earned him an invitation to share his experiences with the Harvard Business School, and he has served as a member of the Board of the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Common Book Project integrates Winthrop's new students into the university environment and acquaints them with the institutions's intellectual and academic values. Freshmen receive the book at Orientation and read the book over the summer. Program components also are developed for graduate students, alumni and Rock Hill community members.

For the first time, Winthrop will utilize the same common book for two consecutive years to maximize the educational impact.

For more information, contact Jones at 803/323-3900 or jonesg@winthrop.edu.

[Back to Previous Page]