One of the two books released last winter in recognition of Gustavus Adolphus College’s Sesquicentennial has received a Midwest Book Award from the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. Gustavus: 150 Years of Images and Stories by author Dave Kenney was named the 2011 winner in the Coffee Table Books category.
The book was published as a complement to the narrative history book Gustavus: 150 Years of History and is organized around an alphabet of words. Each serves as the theme for a featured story, and a layout including related photos and anecdotes that are sure to evoke alumni recollections and dreams of the College. The presentation is informal and inviting, yet is content-rich with stories and facts so that even the well-versed Gustie will learn something new.
“One thing that really struck me as I got deeper into this project was the importance that people at Gustavus place on making connections to the past,” Kenney said. “I find it quite telling that there were already three published histories of Gustavus before I came along. This school has always gone out of its way to remember its history, especially its Swedish heritage.”
“I have to say that my favorite letter is D – “Don’t.” I think it’s probably the most unexpected of all the 26 words I came up with. I also think the chapter, with all its prank-playing students, captures an essential on-campus spirit that you won’t find in most college histories,” Kenney continued.
2011 marked the 22nd year of the Midwest Book Awards, which annually recognize creativity in content and execution, overall book quality, and the book’s unique contribution to its subject area. All entries must be published within the 12-state region including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
For more information on the two Sesquicentennial books including how to order the books, go online to gustavus.edu/150/books.php.
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510
I love this book! It is in the Admission Office lobby and I love to page through it every once in a while. I need to get my own copy so I can take it home and read all of the little tidbits in there. Well done!