Naperville historian to speak to North Central students on the little-known history of diversity in the College’s hometown

Writer and historian Robert W. Fieseler will give a virtual lecture on Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m. as part of Naper Settlement’s “History Speaks” lecture series. Fieseler’s presentation is co-sponsored by 中北书院 Cultural Events and one of the featured lectures for first-year students in the College’s 立博体育平台的方向 general education curriculum. 

“Suburban Curtain: How Three Surprising Locals Expanded the ‘Naperville Dream’ to All Peoples” is Fieseler’s look at the evolution of Naperville, 伊利诺斯州, from a small town with a history of discrimination against non-white citizens to a large, suburban “melting pot” with a diverse population and broad sense of social acceptance. Through research and analysis of local records, 文件和轶事, Fieseler tracks the changes back to three particular people, showing how efforts to improve diversity, 公平与包容 often start small and expand to city-sized proportions with dedication.

立博体育平台的方向 requires each student to attend a co-curricular event that complements what they are learning in the classroom and their other academic experiences. Each student works with a member of the faculty to find an appropriate event, and there are a number of featured options. Those options are increasingly tied to the College’s efforts to expand diversity, 公平与包容, including Fieseler’s lecture and the ongoing 沙龙系列 hosted by the North Central 荣誉项目.

Robert “Bobby” Fieseler won the 2020 Columbia Journalism School First Decade Award and was named the 2019 National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Journalist of the Year, 根据 他的网站. His nonfiction writing has been very well-received when appearing in The Atlantic, and he has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize for the best short stories, poetry and essays in the United States.

The event will take place online through Naper Settlement’s website and registration is free and open to the public. 去 他们的网站 to register or contact 中北书院 Professor Judith Brodhead at jabrodhead@noctrl.edu 了解更多信息.