Lone Star College-CyFair completes citizenship, book project

In front, from left, are English faculty member Matt Turner and Christopher Phillips, author of "Constitution Cafe." In back are history faculty members Rob Holmes, Blake Ellis, Bobby O'Brien, Esther Robinson and Sandra Harvey.

The English, history and political science departments at Lone Star College recently spearheaded a semester-long, cross-disciplinary project that involved more than 1,000 participants in 15 campus events.

The project, according to an LSC press release, began last fall to create dialog among students, faculty and the community in topics like citizenship, the U.S. Constitution, the electoral process and the presidential election.

The project, titled CONVERSATIONS: Citizens, Community and the Constitution, was based on discussions from reading Christopher Phillips' book "Constitution Cafe." The purpose of the program is to enhance learning, critical reading, writing and thinking about citizenship, according to the release.

"The semester project was a great success, and we have plans to continue the project next fall with another common book," said Matthew Turner, chairman of the English Department, in the press release.

Participants attended Constitution Week activities, scholarly presentations and other events related to the book's thesis. Author and professor Phillips delivered several presentations on campus in November.

Spawned by the project, a registration drive was held, a Thomas Jefferson presentation was given and presidential debates were viewed.

The event ended with the presentation of awards to the student essay contest winners. Receiving certificates and cash prizes were Kevin Kwok, Raiyah Al Droubi and Vinnie Lam, the first- through third-place winners, respectively.

Lone Star College-Cy-Fair is at 9191 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress. For more information, call 281-290-3200 or visit www.lonestar.edu.

With 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, the Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area.