Kinesiology & Health
Study Abroad
- Physiology of Altitude: Nepal May 10-June 4, 2011
- Outdoor Leadership in Peru March 4-13, 2011
- Critical and Reflective Practices in KNH: Australia July 6-27, 2011
- International Perspectives in Sport Psychology (to be held in 2013)
News & Events
School of Education, Health, and Society
Best-selling author to speak April 1
3/13/09
Best-selling author Peter Block will lead a dialogue on transforming communities when he meets with students and faculty from 4:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, in 322 McGuffey Hall.
The presentation, “Structures of Belonging: Conversations about Communal Transformation,” is part of the School of Education, Health and Society’s lecture series.
“Peter Block is someone who helps transform neighborhoods, schools, agencies, and businesses into communities that work,” says Carine Feyten, EHS dean. “His expertise is how to bring about change, not from the top down, but from connectedness and consent. His insights are particularly important as we consider family, school, community connections.”
Block is involved in community building in Cincinnati and works with Miami’s Center for Community Engagement in Over-the-Rhine. He is the first Distinguished Consultant-in-Residence at Xavier University.
In his latest book, Community: The Structure of Belonging (2008), he says that most communities are fragmented with education, health care, social services and businesses each living in their own worlds. Individuals who long for connection end up marginalized, their potential contributions overlooked and lost.
“What keeps this from changing is that we are trapped in an old and tired conversation about who we are. If this narrative does not shift, we will never truly create a common future and work toward it together,” he says.
Other best-selling books, include The Answer to How is Yes (2003), Stewardship: Choosing Service Over Self-Interest (1993), Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used (1st edition 1980, 2nd edition 1999),) and The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work (1987).
Block has received many national awards, including the American Society for Training and Development Award for Distinguished Contributions; the Association for Quality and Participation President’s Award; and Training Magazine HRD Hall of Fame.
Block’s appearance, the second event in the EHS 2008-09 lecture series, is free and open to the public. The lecture is co-sponsored by the Farmer School of Business. For more information, call 513-529-6317.