The University of South Carolina Upstate recently hosted its annual First-Year Reading Program event, where students were introduced to the program’s powerful, transformative theme through “The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature” by renowned ornithologist and author J. Drew Lanham (Milkweed Press, September 2016). The program, which fosters a love for reading and encourages critical thinking, selected this memoir to help students explore complex issues that weave through personal identity, the natural world, and the shared history of communities across South Carolina.
The memoir captures Lanham’s journey growing up in rural Edgefield County, SC, on family land dating back to slavery, interweaving themes of race, identity, and belonging. As Lanham spoke, he reflected on his life’s work as a naturalist, ornithologist, and professor at Clemson University, presenting his story as one that challenges conventional narratives about Black identity and environmentalism. His words were both a celebration and a call to action for students and faculty alike, urging them to connect deeply with nature and understand how identity shapes our perceptions of the world around us. Lanham stated “We have the responsibility to speak out as loudly as we can to work towards undermining the crises where we might.”
Chancellor Harris introduced Lanham, thanking him for bringing his insights to the university’s new students. Lanham, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share his story, emphasizing that his writing reflects a personal “love affair with nature.” He offered students the chance to ask any questions, welcoming dialogue and assuring them that curiosity was at the heart of understanding.
“I am a man in love with nature. I am an eco-addict, consuming everything that the outdoors offers in its all-you-can-sense, seasonal buffet. I am a wildling, born of forests and fields and more comfortable on unpaved back roads and winding woodland paths than in any place where concrete, asphalt, and crowds prevail. In my obsession I “celebrate myself, and sing myself,” living Walt Whitman’s exaltations, rolling and reveling in all that nature lays before me.”
In a resonant, poetic tone, Lanham recounted his connection with nature as both scientist and storyteller, capturing the students’ attention with his vivid recollections of Southern landscapes and his reflections on the joy and solace he finds in the wild. He spoke candidly of being a “wild boy of forests and fields,” feeling at home on backroads and woodland paths, his identity shaped as much by his ancestry as by his love for the outdoors. His words emphasized that the world of nature embraces diversity effortlessly, never questioning his right to belong—a stark contrast to the societal prejudices he has encountered.
Tasha Thomas, Senior Instructor in the Department of Languages, Literature And Composition, thanked Lanham for his ability to reach her students, stating “Your writing has inspired some of the best personal narratives that I have received in 25 years of teaching, so it is magic and the students have talked so much about the quality of your prose, the poetic quality of your prose. And they’ve been able to sort of dive deep and I see the influence of your work in their writing.”
Lanham challenged students to consider how language, creativity, and storytelling can shape perceptions, elevate voices, and ultimately inspire change. He underscored the power of words to challenge complacency and to address societal crises, urging students to use their voices for good, no matter their medium—whether through poetry, art, writing, or conversation. By grounding his reflections in the context of environmental conservation and racial identity, he shared his belief that art and science together can guide people toward a more just and inclusive world.
Through this impactful gathering, USC Upstate’s First-Year Reading Program once again affirmed its commitment to fostering dialogue and broadening perspectives. Lanham’s invitation to “live your heart, show your work, get out of your heads” resonated with all in attendance. As applause filled the room, it was clear that Lanham’s message had left a profound impression, setting the stage for a year of critical thinking, open discussion, and transformative learning for the students at USC Upstate.
The Preface Author’s Night is an engaging way to introduce students to different genres and spark their curiosity for reading. Senior Instructor Tasha Thomas explained the selection process, sharing, “The composition department typically chooses one book. In some years, we teach nonfiction or creative nonfiction; this year, we’ve explored collections of essays and novels.” Thomas emphasized that the goal is to select books with contemporary relevance and high interest, so students will genuinely want to read them. “To enhance and enrich the topics brought up in the text, we organize various activities beyond the classroom. This keynote event is our main highlight, but we’ve also had campus strolls for bird watching, and we’ve hosted talks related to themes in the book—such as discussions on ecology and human interaction with the environment. These activities aim not only to deepen the understanding of the reading but also to encourage students to connect in new ways,” Thomas shared. “Our true motivation is to bring students together outside the classroom, offering them opportunities they wouldn’t normally have to interact and learn.”
A few notable awards for “The Home Place” include Winner of the Southern Book Prize, Winner of the Reed Award from the Southern Environmental Law Center, and Finalist for the John Burroughs Medal.
Click here if you’d like to purchase a copy of “The Home Place”.