Art Instructor Erin O’Shea handed out awards to Barrett, who produced his work for the printmaking class; Bahan, who created her piece in the Color Theory class; and May, who composed her depiction in the 2D Design class.

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More than 500 students, faculty, staff, and community members attended the May 3 event, which culminated in a dialogue with members of Lacks’ family that focused on issues revealed by The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Calling her visit to campus a “lovely and humbling experience,” Victoria Baptiste, Henrietta's great-granddaughter and a registered nurse in Baltimore, urged Saddleback students to “be/do something great no matter your age.”  Alfred Carter Jr., a grandson of Henrietta, also shared his observations about her legacy. An ex-Marine, he's currently the president and CEO of the Henrietta Lacks House of Healing, which offers transitional housing for disabled men and women suffering from substance abuse.

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“Our college’s enthusiastic response to the book, coupled with the warm reception for Henrietta Lacks’ descendants, reaffirms our commitment to shared literacy and learning,” said Bruce Gilman, professor of English and a member of the One Book, One College Committee.

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Every year, the One Book, One College Committee, whose members include Gilman, Hayter, O’Shea, Claire Cesareo, Jane Horlings, Irene Renault, Valerie Senior, and Lydia Tamara, selects a book for the campus community to read as a way to promote multidisciplinary dialogue about local and global issues. Lectures, panel discussions, art installations, and performances are held throughout the semester, culminating in a presentation by a guest speaker connected to the book.