The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. 

Benedict College is one of 117 organizations that will receive significant grant support for Big Read programs.  The Big Read at Benedict College was funded in the amount $20,000, half of which is supported by in-kind sources.  The College will host campus and community programs for The Big Read from February 1 through March 22, 2008.

As a grantee of the National Endowment of the Arts, Benedict College will join the national effort designed to help restore reading to the center of American culture.  Using as its center for engagement Ernest Gaines A Lesson Before Dying, Benedict will engage South Carolinians with a number of interdisciplinary venues to encourage community reading and discussion. 

Watch the YouTube video of Pamela Davenport, SC State Library, interviewing Dr. Stephanie Mitchem of USC about the book.