“Meet the Authors” Fund-raiser at St. John’s College

“Meet the Authors” Fund-raiser at St. John’s College

Authors are: a college president who became a freshman again at St. John’s; noted Naval Academy historian; trial attorney for President Clinton, secretaries of defense, Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain.

Why would a college president become a freshman at St. John’s College? In his memoir, “Racing Odysseus: A College President Becomes a Freshman Again” (2008), Roger Martin shares his unusual journey. When he was 61 years old, then still a college president, and facing a cancer diagnosis, Martin decided to become a freshman at St. John’s College in Annapolis. While attending the college in the fall of 2004, Martin discovered the college’s timeless liberal arts curriculum –and rowing on College Creek. Martin is a professor of history and past-president at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va.

Martin is one of three authors take who will talk about their latest nonfiction works at the annual “Meet the Authors” fund-raiser sponsored by the Caritas Society of St. John’s College. “Meet the Authors” will take place in the Francis Scott Key Auditorium on Sunday, November 9, at 4 p.m. 

The authors will sign their books during a reception following their presentations.  The cost for the event is $35 at the door or $30 if payment is made by November 3. Proceeds benefit students who encounter unanticipated financial hardship. For more information contact Lynn Yarbro at 410-349-9616. Mail checks to: Caritas Society, P.O. Box 2800, Annapolis, Md. 21404-2800.

 In “Historic Photos of United States Naval Academy” (2008) nearly 200 images convey the storied history of the U.S. Naval Academy, from the date it opened in 1845 through modern times. James Cheevers, associate director and senior curator of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, who wrote the accompanying text, touches on many aspects of life at the academy: sports teams, naval vessels maneuvering in the seas, weaponry, architecture, modern technologies, esteemed faculty members, and traditions such as the Ring Dance and the Herndon climb.

Savvy Washington, D.C. insider and attorney Robert Bennett will talk about his memoir, “In the Ring: The Trials of a Washington Lawyer” (2008). Bennett recounts his childhood in Brooklyn as well as the many high-profile cases he has argued in his more than 40 years as an attorney. Bennett represented President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky investigation. He also represented Judith Miller in the Valerie Plame case, and Mr. Bennett successfully represented two former Secretaries of Defense, Clark Clifford and Casper Weinberger. He currently is defending Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain from allegations by “The New York Times” of an improper relationship with a Washington lobbyist during the 2000 presidential campaign. Bennett is a partner with the firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher  & Flom in Washington, D.C.