October 7, 2019
Author of 'Heartland' book about economic inequality to present Lou Douglas Lecture
Submitted by Isis Thornton-Saunders
The Lou Douglas Lecture Series, with help from the Staley School of Leadership Studies, College of Business Ethics Education Initiative and K-State Student Governing Association, will present Sarah Smarsh, author of "Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth," at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 in Forum Hall of the K-State Student Union.
UFM Community Learning Center, the lecture series sponsor, is bringing Smarsh to K-State and the Manhattan community.
Smarsh, who grew up on a farm in southern Kansas, will discuss the story of how she went from a fifth-generation farm kid to a successful author, speaker and journalist, as well as delve into her award-winning new book, "Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth," which examines economic inequality through her upbringing among the working poor on a Kansas farm.
Smarsh is a regular political commentator in the national media and has spoken internationally on poverty, rural issues and cultural divides at venues ranging from small-town libraries to the Sydney Opera House. She has reported on socioeconomic class for The Guardian, the New York Times, The New Yorker, Harper’s, and many other publications. "Heartland" was named a Best of 2018 by NPR, Fresh Air, the Boston Globe, Amazon, Buzzfeed, Barnes and Noble, and Publishers Weekly. In addition to being short-listed for the National Book Award, "Heartland" was a finalist for the Kirkus Prize, the Lukas Prize, the Indie Choice Award, and an Audie Award for Smarsh's reading of audiobook.
The lecture is free for all who attend. Following the lecture, questions from the audience will be taken as well as a book signing opportunity.
The Lou Douglas Lecture Series is dedicated to Lou Douglas, a distinguished professor of political science at K-State from 1949-1977. Douglas was widely known for his power to inspire students, faculty and citizens to instigate change. He was also one of the founders of UFM Community Learning Center. After his death in 1979, the organization began a lecture series to honor him. More information is available at tryufm.org.