An audience of students, faculty, and staff gathered at the library earlier this month to hear Prof. Maureen Boyle describe the meticulous reporting that goes into crafting true crime works, the need to maintain an emotional distance from the characters in those shattering stories, and the exhaustive legwork that went into writing her most recent book - Child Last Seen.

Prof. Boyle, a member of the college’s Communication Department, Director of the Journalism program and an award-winning newspaper reporter, was the first presenter in MacPhaidin Library’s 2023 Scholar Series. These monthly events seek to highlight the knowledge being created by members of Stonehill’s community. Each session in the series features a presentation by a member of Stonehill’s faculty followed by a discussion over wine and cheese.

On Sept. 28, Prof. Anna Ohanyan, the Richard B. Finnegan Distinguished Professor of Political Science, and International Relations, will discuss her new work, The Neighborhood Effect: The Imperial Roots of Regional Fracture in Eurasia. Published by Stanford University Press, Prof. Ohanyan’s book is described as offering “... a new explanation for the conflicts we are likely to see emerge as the unipolar US-led order dissolves, making the fractures in regional neighborhoods painfully evident. And it points the way to the future of peacebuilding: making space for the smaller links and connections that comprise a stable neighborhood.”

Mark your calendars for other upcoming Scholar Series events.

  • Oct. 26 – Richard Capobianco (Philosophy) - A Trilogy on Heidegger & More
  • Nov. 30 – John Rodrique (History) - Freedom’s Crescent
  • Dec. 14 – Mary Joan Leith (Religious Studies) - The Virgin Mary

All Scholar Series Events are held from 3:30-4:30 in the Library’s South End. The series is sponsored by MacPhaidin Library and The Office of Academic Affairs with refreshments generously provided by the May School of Arts and Sciences.