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On Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in Fisher Auditorium, Bill Strickland, author of this year’s Common Freshman Reader “Make the Impossible Possible,” will visit IUP to lecture on his book. This is the fourth year for the Common Freshman Reader, started by IUP President Tony Atwater.
The Common Freshman Reader is meant to encourage all incoming freshmen to read the same book and set an established tone for excellence for the upcoming academic year.
Strickland was born and raised in Pittsburgh in 1947, graduated from David B. Oliver High School in 1965, and graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 1969 with a bachelor’s in American History and Foreign Relations, according to the IUP Web site.
While still attending University of Pittsburgh, Strickland founded the Manchester’s Craftsman’s Guild. Strickland is president and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corp., a community establishment that encourages art programs and intensive job training to help those who are struggling financially, according to the site. Strickland’s book describes his life and how he came to start the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. It’s not a fairy tale but a story of dedication, hard work and a handful of opportunities – a story of how the seemingly “impossible” might be made possible.
In 1996, Strickland was awarded the MacArthur Genius Award,
according to IUP’s Web site. Strickland was also awarded the Kilby Award and Coming Up Taller Award in 1998, which was presented by first lady Hillary Clinton in a White House ceremony. In 1999, Strickland was yet again honored with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Arts Leadership and Service Award.
In 2007, Strickland was named Pittsburgher of the Year by Pittsburgh Magazine and named Entrepreneur of the Year in Arts and Education by Ernst & Young. Most recently, Atwater presented Strickland with the Presidential Legacy Award for Civic Service in 2009 at the annual Legacy Gala.
In addition to these various awards, Strickland has also served as chairman of the Expansion Arts Panel of the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C., also having served a six-year presidential position on the council. Strickland has been on the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, a trustee at the Carnegie Museums and a consultant with the British American Arts Association in London. Strickland was sworn in as a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in 2002.
In addition to his lecture, Strickland will also visit several classrooms and facilities at the Fine Arts College at IUP. Some 30 faculty have used Strickland’s book in class activities and discussions.
The lecture is free and open to the public. There will be a book signing session following the lecture.
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