Alumni & Friends

News Stories

Bock Book Award Winner Visits Campus

Dr. Ysaye Barnwell visited Neumann on Wednesday, October 8, to accept the Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award for Children’s Literature for her book, We are One.

Dr. Rosalie Mirenda presented Barnwell with the award saying, “This message is extremely timely for the world we are in today.” Barnwell told the audience, including children from the Child Development Center, how the book began as a song. She involved the children in singing the opening passage of the book and taught them corresponding sign language.

To illustrate the meaning of the book, Barnwell discussed with the children the differences and similarities between people. The description of the book reads, “We are our grandmother's prayers, our grandfather's dreamings, and the breath of our ancestors. We are filled with imagination and hope, big dreams and endless possibilities. We are different, yet we are all the same. We are one.”
 
Barnwell is a resident of Washington, D.C., and a member of the woman’s a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock. A native of New York, she has performed with the group since 1979. She holds a bachelor and master of science in speech pathology from State University of New York (SUNY), Geneseo; a doctor of philosophy in cranio-facial studies from the University of Pittsburgh; a master of science in public health from Howard University; and an honorary doctor of humane letters from SUNY, Geneseo.

The Bock Book Award is presented to acknowledge Franciscan values in children’s books and gives each year’s winner a prize of $500, and a plaque. Criteria for the award are that the text be values-oriented and appeal to the wonder and curiosity of children, ages 3-8.

10/17/08