Honoring our Graduating Student Library Assistants

Bryan Pomboza, Megan Anderson, Amanda Caceres, Giovanna Lopez

It has been the Darling Library's tradition to honor our graduating student workers by adding a book to the library. They choose a book (that we don't already have) in a subject area of their interest - in their major or something on their heart related to the curriculum. 

We include a note in the cataloging record that it was donated in honor of the student by name. You can actually search "donated in honor of" and add the student's name to find it. We also stick a bookplate to the inside cover of the book with the same note. They enjoy having an influence on our book collection and leaving their imprint on the library in a tangible way. 

At an end of the year party we present the book to the graduates and have them tell us why they chose the book.

This year we have six graduates! Here are the books to be added to the library in their honor:

Bryan Pomboza (Biblical Studies). Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Although Bryan is a Biblical Studies major, he is also a history buff and recommended this WWII historical fiction. Bryan will pursue the MFT degree at HIU and continue working as our Library Services Assistant after graduation.

Megan Anderson (Childrens and Youth Ministry major and Biblical Studies and Psychology minor). The Sin of Certainty by Peter Enns struck a cord with Megan who also worked as a tutor in Biblical Studies. The subtitle, Why God Desires our Trust more than our 'Correct' Beliefs says it all for her. Megan plans to work with children either in church ministry or some area of mental health upon graduation.

Amanda Caseres (Psychology). The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a semi-autobiographical short story first published in 1892. Amanda was moved by the story during a class presentation by another one of our student workers, English major, Isabella Alcaraz. According to Wikipedia, "It is regarded as an important early work of American feminist literature for its illustration of the attitudes towards mental and physical health of women in the 19th century." The book purchased by the library includes other short stories on the theme. Amanda also plans to pursue the MFT at HIU and continue working at the Darling Library while in graduate school.

Giovanna Lopez (Psychology) chose The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest. The library does not generally purchase "self-help" books, but Giovanna felt strongly that this topic speaks to many students who struggle with mental health issues - particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Giovanna will go home to Nebraska briefly before starting her masters degree in Psychology at Colorado Christian University.

Ysabelle Halemano (Kinesiology). Ysabelle (a.k.a., "YZ") chose another story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman called Herland which is a utopian novel about an all-women society. YZ was unable to attend the party but she says it's just a fun book and it was interesting to think about not only an all-woman country, but what an all-male country might be like as well. Like Amanda and Bryan, YZ also will continue at Hope in the Marriage and Family Therapy program. She plans on becoming a Sports Psychologist. 

Jon Tobin (Business). Jon, who has been a runner for HIU, suggested Running for My Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games. It is the autobiographical story of Lopez Lomong, a Sudanese-American track and field runner who was one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. "[It] is not a story about Africa or track and field athletics. It is about outrunning the devil and achieving the impossible faith, diligence, and the desire to give back. It is the American dream come true and a stark reminder that saving one can help to save thousands more." (Amazon.com).

These books will be added to the Darling Library collection in honor of these student workers who have served the library well. 

 

Congratulations on your graduation!