Video

A small crowd attended a memorial reception inside the General Education building on Oct. 15, in support of a staff member’s familial loss.

“Take a book, donate a book” is what reads in Kandice’s Korner, a small yet growing library in the Language Arts division.

Kandice Sue Smith was a victim of domestic violence by her boyfriend and was shot and killed on Oct. 6, 2009.

“Kandice loved to read,” LeDee said preemptively before reading a passage of poetry from one of her published books, “Rough Edges.”

LeDee thanked the small crowd for attending the event and encouraged other attendees to read or recite a small portion from their favorite book or story.

English instructor Scott Inguito read from “The Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison. The short passage that he read allowed an open discussion about race and visibility in the already intimate group setting.

Alva Long, a psychology major student, did not have a book to cite immediately, so he recited his favorite lyrics from “The Moody Blues,” a band popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

The lyrics “reach out to me and (are) profound to me,” Long said. “They’ve stuck with me since I was a teen.”

Other attendees were encouraged to read aloud or explain what their favorite stories were to the small crowd by the Language Arts staff.

The small collection began with roughly 30 books of varying genres, but the corner has many additions by means of donations. Many books have been taken as well, LeDee said.

English instructor Anthony Pino even donated a copy of his personal book, “A Hidden River.”

If interested in donating or borrowing from this small library, visit the second floor of the General Education building in the Language Arts department.

For more information regarding helpful resources pertaining to Domestic Violence, visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline at www.hotline.org or call 1-800-799-7233.