The Wild West Then and Now: Contemporary C ontext for True Grit.
\nOne Book One Broward 2027 (OBOB) will reflec t on how individual courage and civic responsibility have inspired justice \, resilience and grit across American history. Join Broward College facul ty for an engaging academic exploration of Charles Portis&rsquo\;s classic western novel True Grit. This lecture connects the book&rsquo\;s frontier setting with contemporary themes that continue to shape American society. Professors from History\, Political Science\, and English will discuss ho w the novel reflects broader ideas about civic life\, national identity\, and the evolving mythology of the American West.
\nKari Hebert\, Ass istant Professor of Political Science\, will examine concepts of civic res ponsibility and the workings of American government as reflected in fronti er life. Billy Jones\, Associate Professor of English\, will explore the n ovel&rsquo\;s literary elements\, narrative voice\, and insights into the American experience. Dr. John Donovan\, Associate Professor of History\, w ill provide historical context on the frontier era and discuss how western storytelling influences modern perceptions of justice and resilience. A l ively group discussion will follow the presentations.
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Dr. Billy Jones is a full-time p rofessor of English at Broward College\, where he has served since 2014. A proud South Florida native\, he developed early passions for creative wri ting\, journalism\, literature\, and theater. While pursuing his post-seco ndary education\, he discovered his true calling in teaching. After earnin g his bachelor&rsquo\;s degree from Florida International University\, he spent eight years as a high school educator in Miami-Dade Public Schools\, where he witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. Dr. J ones later earned a master&rsquo\;s degree in English education from FIU a nd a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from Barry University. Currently an a ssociate professor at the Judson A. Samuels South Campus and Miramar West Center\, he is a recipient of the Jan R. Cummings Endowed Teaching Chair i n Critical Thinking. Dedicated to student success\, Dr. Jones integrates t echnology\, visual literacy\, cross-disciplinary strategies\, and co-curri cular engagement to enrich learning in every classroom he leads.
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\nKari Hebert is an Assi stant Professor of Political Science in the Department of Social Behaviora l Sciences and Human Services at Broward College\, where she has taught go vernment and international relations for 14 years. A former Navy intellige nce officer\, she brings a global perspective shaped by her undergraduate degree in international relations&mdash\;with a minor in East European stu dies and Russian language&mdash\;and her master&rsquo\;s degree in politic al science from the University of West Florida\, focusing on comparative p olitics. Professor Hebert proudly serves at the Judson A. Samuels South Ca mpus and is the recipient of the Bank of America III Endowed Teaching Chai r. Her eight years of combined active and reserve Navy service inform her dedication to public leadership and civic responsibility. In her role as a higher education leader\, Professor Hebert is committed to empowering Bro ward College students to engage with and influence local government policy \, encouraging them to become informed\, active participants in their comm unities.
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Dr. John Donovan\, Associate Professor of History at Broward College&rsquo\;s North Campus\, is the Stephen C. Barker Endowed Teaching Chair. With more than 30 years of teaching experience\, he is known for his passionate\, st udent-centered approach that brings history to life through music\, media\ , storytelling\, discussion\, and innovative technologies such as AI\, aug mented reality\, and mobile learning tools. Dr. Donovan holds a Ph.D. in E ducational Leadership from the University of Colorado&ndash\;Colorado Spri ngs and an M.A. in History from the University of Central Missouri. A reti red United States Air Force veteran with 28 years of service\, he has taug ht at multiple colleges and universities\, including the U.S. Air Force Ac ademy\, since 1991. His academic work focuses on world and American histor y\, especially the Cold War\, and he has contributed to several historical anthologies on that era. His graduate research explored how Millennials u nderstand information literacy and use library resources to conduct effect ive college-level research.
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\nOne Book One Broward ( January 2 &ndash\; February 27\, 2027) will reflect on how individual cour age and civic responsibility have inspired justice\, resilience\, and grit across American history. Charles Portis&rsquo\; classic western novel Tru e Grit will inspire over 30 lively programs\, including the program kick-o ff\, an American West themed 9th Annual ArtLit (North Regional/Broward Col lege)\, Moonlight Tales featuring stories and folk music from the American Frontier (Main Library)\, Daguerreotype Photography Workshop and Archival Tour (AARLCC)\, a historical panel (South Regional/Broward College)\, an art exhibition with sip &\; paint (West Regional)\, programs for resili ence in aging\, writing workshops\, line dancing\, film screenings\, book discussions\, and storytimes across all 36 library branches in celebration of America250. Participate by checking out the book or eBooks\, and regis tering for an upcoming One Book One Broward program.
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