/Communications

Lucky Medicine Book Launch Recap

By Anne Haines

February 27th, 2023

Lester Thompson greets attendees at the event. Here he shakes hands with a woman wearing a large black hat and black jacket.
Lester Thompson greets attendees prior to the event.
Attendees arriving at the event. Lester Thompson stands near the entrance of Hazelbaker Hall greeting people.
Attendees arriving at the event in Hazelbaker Hall.
Lester Thompson stands at the lectern and shakes hands with Dean Dallis-Comentale.
Ruth Lilly Dean of University Libraries, Diane Dallis-Comentale, greets Dr. Thompson.
Several people, seated, are having a conversation. A man has turned around in his chair to speak with two women sitting behind him. All are smiling.
Attendees chat before the event.
Lester Thompson, smiling, sits next to a man in business-casual dress. A woman is standing in front of him.
Lester Thompson with some of the IU Press staff who worked on his book.
Lester Thompson speaks while Provost Shrivastav smiles and listens, along with a woman standing between them.
Dr. Thompson speaks with Provost Rahul Shrivastav.
Many people seated in Hazelbaker Hall prior to the event.
We were so pleased to have a full house in Hazelbaker Hall!
A woman with blonde hair and glasses, wearing a blue jacket, speaks into a microphone at a lectern.
Dean Diane Dallis-Comentale welcomed everyone to the Herman B Wells Library.
A man in a business suit and tie stands at a lectern and speaks into a microphone.
Provost Shrivastav spoke regarding the importance of sharing stories of the Black student experience.
A smiling woman wearing a leopard-print beret stands at the lectern.
Da'Ja'Nay Askew, managing editor of the new IU Journal of Black Student Experience, introduced Dr. Thompson
A man in a light-colored suit and tie stands at a lectern. Behind him a sign reads "Hazelbaker Lecture Hall."
Lester Thompson speaks to an intently listening audience.
Members of the audience, many wearing red tops or jackets, listening. Several are smiling or laughing.
The audience enjoying Lester Thompson's talk.
A smiling man in business suit and tie is surrounded by audience members.
Provost Shrivastav mingles with the audience.
A man seated at a table, his back to the camera, signing books. An eager crowd waits with books in hand to be signed.
Lester Thompson signs books for the eager attendees.
Attendees stand in line to have their books signed, smiling and laughing.
Attendees clearly enjoyed the event!

IU Libraries is well equipped to showcase the Black student experience on campus. Lester’s book is the 23rd Well House Book, highlighting IU histories, peoples, institutions, programs, and legacies. As Gary Dunham, Director of the IU Press, noted, "We at the Press are particularly excited about Lucky Medicine because the book will spark fundamental reflections on and spirited discussions about who we were, are, and will be as a university.”

As Provost Shrivastav mentioned in his remarks, the University Archives’ exhibition is quite compelling as well. Librarians and archivists bring the special collections to life for students, faculty and alumni. Many of the Lucky Medicine guests had familial ties to the alumni featured in the exhibition.

-Pete Rhoda, Executive Director of Development, IU Libraries

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