Running on Empty: The rise and fall of Southampton College 1963-2005 by John A. Strong

Happy New Year!

I've chosen a non-fiction book to review as my first entry for the new year.  It's all about the demise of a small liberal arts college located on the east end of Long Island in the town of Southampton.  It's not a happy book because it looks into the reasons why this college failed but it's worth a read for all of you local history buffs and for alumni as well.

Although the book does touch on how it affected the lives of those who attended this very special place, I thought I'd mention a few more.  It was the kind of place where you knew everybody's name from the person who operated the cafeteria to the switchboard operator, the person who cut the hedges to the secretary in the administration building.  It was a place where your professor really knew who you were and what you were interested in achieving.  It was a place that fostered personal growth not just from an academic perspective but also a chance to  pursue your dreams and in the process discover who you are.

You have probably guessed by now that I speak from personal experience.  I was fortunate to earn both my undergraduate degree and a masters degree from this fine institution.  I also held a secretarial position while doing so.  Everyone I came in contact with during my time there directly contributed in some fashion to who I would become.

I'd venture to guess that you would find many alumni and employees whose lives were changed by their experience at this college if you asked them about it.

In closing my hope is that should there be another college of this caliber in our United States, every effort should be made to keep it from loosing its footing and shutting its doors.  It is also my hope that another college with the same promise would eventually be located on the grounds of Southampton College.

Thank you Professor Strong for writing this book to ensure that Southampton College is never forgotten.

Ladybookbug!