Joe Starita at Peru State College

On Tuesday, Nebraska writer and journalism professor at UNL Joe Starita visited Peru State College for the first time.

As noted on a previous blog page devoted to Joe Starita--and to which you should go to learn more

about this talented and committed writer--Joe Starita mentioned to me last October when he addressed College 101 students at the Nebraska Historical Society Museum that he had never visited The Campus of a Thousand Oaks. 

Well, because Dr. Sara Crook's class of College 101--as mine did last year--read Starita's highly-acclaimed  story of Ponka Indian Chief Standing Bear's fight for
justice in courthouse in Omaha, I asked Joe whether he could come to visit the college and give a presentation.

I uploaded a group of photographs that chronicle Joe Starita's visit to Peru State.

Upon his arrival at 4:30 in the afternoon on a beautiful evening, Joe began his tour of the campus under the guidance of Chelsea Turek before we all went to enjoy a dinner at 5:30 hosted by President Dan Hanson and Elaine Hanson.

After a delightful meal and energetic conversation, at 7:00 Joe Starita delighted the fifty-plus members of the audience with a stellar and compassionate presentation none of us will soon forget.

Joe Starita wrote me about how much he loved his visit and

vowed--much to my delight--that he will return again...soon.

We hope that he will return here often.

During part of his compelling talk, Joe

Starita mentioned three specific reasons that he loves I Am A Man.  The third of the three concerns Chief Standing Bear's place in history, for he in many respects represents the Martin Luther King of American Indians.

For your enjoyment and edification, watch the video in which Joe talks about the first two reasons: