The 2020-2021 iREAD book is A Terrible Thing to Waste: Arthur Fletcher and the Conundrum of the Black Republican by David Golland. We are excited to create a series of virtual events around A Terrible Thing to Waste that introduce students, and the community to the courageous lives a Washburn University education prepares graduates to lead.
Washburn graduate and civil rights leader Arthur Fletcher was the first black player for the Baltimore Colts, the father of affirmative action & adviser to four presidents. He coined the United Negro College Fund’s motto: “A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste.”
Watch the 2020-21 iREAD Lecture
Dr. Golland Answers Students' Questions
iREAD Resources
Purchase A Terrible Thing to Waste from the Ichabod Shop
Excerpts from A Conversation with Art Fletcher (Video)
Topeka History Guy: Remembering Art Fletcher, the "father of affirmative action" (Video)
Dole Institute of Politics (Video)
Digitizing The Fletcher Papers: A Unique Historical Experience (in partnership with Mabee Library)
Remembering Arthur Fletcher, father of affirmative action (Seattle Times)
