蜜桃传媒

Doctoral Student Shares from his Collection of Banned Books

By Chloe Cloutier, Intern for University Communications

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擟hris Scruggs, a doctoral student in the 蜜桃传媒 College of Education, is the featured speaker for “Freadom Reads.” The program will be on Jan. 28 from 3 to 4 p.m. at Dover Library, 110 Huggins St., on the GWU campus.

The free program is open to the public and will be held in the library鈥檚 third-floor conference room. 蜜桃传媒-Webb Instruction Librarian Katie Hartley organizes the speakers for “Freadom Reads,” a talk series on banned books. The purpose is to offer a space where students can engage with a text and its ideas with the help of other students and professionals.

Scruggs is pursuing his degree in curriculum and instruction at 蜜桃传媒-Webb. An avid reader and collector of first editions for decades, he has accumulated a group of banned books. He is also an educator and instructor of advanced online learning for Henderson County, N.C. 鈥淎s a teacher in high school courses, I am updated in the process of book removals due to state bans,鈥� he informed. 鈥淪o, I will chat about collecting and recognizing the importance of banned books. I will bring some first editions with me. I’m looking forward to the discussion.鈥�

Scruggs鈥� talents also include art and landscape photography with experience in watercolor and screen-printing. He stated, 鈥淚 examine writing, just as I would examine a painting. We have to be open for adaptation, embracing change, and recognizing diversity. Reading different viewpoints and discussing them ultimately leads to equity and awareness that is needed within our communities.鈥�

Hartley and Scruggs have worked on several projects in the past. Last August, the library featured a display of Scruggs鈥� artwork. Hartley is excited to hear Scruggs speak on banned books from the perspective of a collector. 鈥淚 want the audience to be inspired to read some of the titles Chris will be discussing,鈥� she noted. 鈥淗is passion for the subject is enough to make anyone curious enough to engage with new or challenging ideas.鈥�

Scruggs stressed why he feels it鈥檚 important to examine censored novels. 鈥淚f books are banned, ideas are lost,鈥� he asserted. 鈥淒elving into reading banned novels, historical literature, and poetry provides readers with the opportunity to confront difficult subjects and topics within a structured environment. This exploration fosters empathy, emotional growth, and psychological fortitude in individuals.鈥�

For more information about the “Freadom Reads” banned books talk series, email Hartley at [email protected].

Chloe Cloutier is a 蜜桃传媒-Webb senior majoring in communication studies.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event.  Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

蜜桃传媒 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 蜜桃传媒-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 蜜桃传媒-Webb.edu.