Writer Burroughs to lead by example

By Emily Bjorklund

Acclaimed author Augusten Burroughs will visit Santa Clara next Wednesday to speak about the "choices and chances" that have shaped his life and work.

Burroughs, who was named as one of "America's Fifteen Funniest People" by Entertainment Weekly, has established his fame through the recent best-selling memoirs, "Dry" and "Running with Scissors."

The Center for Student Leadership (CSL) chose to invite Burroughs through its Leader in Residence program in part because of this year's Healthy Campus Initiative -- a committee of students and staff from different departments that discuss various issues regarding health. Jeanne Zeamba, health educator and staff psychologist with the Wellness Center, explained that the initiative educates about habits and choices that can lead to unhealthy behavior like alcoholism and its consequences.

Nicole Kemper, the leadership development assistant in CSL, considers alcohol abuse one of the most important issues to be addressed in the visit.

"Burroughs struggles with depression and alcoholism in his memoirs, and shows the long-term effects that alcohol can have on someone's life," she said.

Although the selection of Burroughs as the keynote speaker occurred prior to Kemper's involvement with the project, she thinks he is the right choice. He is comfortable addressing freely and openly the choices and chances that have defined his life and career. Having read his work, Kemper considers his writing style to be just as candid as his personality.

"He uses a style students can identify with," Kemper said. "He uses our vocabulary, our phrases, and doesn't hesitate to show the bad parts of life."

Junior Megan Baker, who just finished reading "Running with Scissors," a memoir on Burroughs' misshapen childhood, was also impressed with his writing style.

"I think he is an extremely talented writer," Baker said. "I often found myself thinking, 'How did such dysfunction and chaos allow for such brilliance?' He was funny in a way that was not self-destructive, as so many sarcastic authors are."

Kemper agrees that Burroughs' writing is notably hilarious, witty and almost shocking. Despite his ability to entertain collegiate readers, Kemper also points out that Burroughs was invited as part of a lecture series that seeks to bring speakers who will inspire admirable qualities in leadership. She considers his leadership to be non-traditional.

"He is not on a pedestal; he shows leadership through everyday choices," she said. "His books show how simple choices and actions can make significant impacts on others in one's life."

During his two-day visit to Santa Clara, Burroughs will visit specific classes, in addition to his discussion groups and keynote address. Erin Lovette, the assistant director in CSL, said Burroughs will meet with students in various English and creative writing courses to discuss his career as an author. On Thursday, he will visit two abnormal psychology courses.

"Through his writing, Burroughs shares his experience growing up with a mother suffering from a mental illness, and the process by which he became sober in his early 20s," Lovette said. "We believe Burroughs' visit will provide space for candid conversation surrounding topics addressed within these courses."

In preparation for his visit, a group of about 40 staff members and students formed a reading group devoted to his novel "Dry." The group has met twice since winter quarter. The first time they talked about the book itself, and the second time they discussed relevant health and alcohol issues. Student Adrianne Anderson, who attended the group, especially benefited from the dialogue with others in her small group discussion.

"I really enjoyed the insights of the psychologist in my small group," she said. "It was a great idea for them to gather students and staff from all fields -- athletics, health, leadership."

The reading group was divided into four sub-groups that focused on slightly different questions regarding Burroughs' struggle with depression and alcoholism. Senior Tony Johnson led one of the groups by sharing his own experiences and aiming to "push or pull the group in certain directions by encouraging communication through thought-provoking questions."

Zeamba headed one discussion group that drew parallels between Burroughs' testament and relevant issues on Santa Clara's campus.

"Burroughs' history is different from many Santa Clara students in that he did not go to college and was a struggling professional when he developed his drinking problems," she said. "But he showed signs like blacking out, vomiting, and risky decision-making that are common in students who are at risk."

Baker agreed that there are differences between Burroughs' experience and the average experience of a student receiving a pricey education at a private university and might be suffering from alcoholism. But she anticipates that Burroughs will be able to impart the universal message of struggle. Baker particularly looks forward to seeing him in person.

"I would love to know if he was a hermit, introverted type writer or if his personality matched his writing," she said. "You have to have a certain intelligent sense of humor to appreciate his writing."

Burroughs will have dinner with members of the reading group as part of his itinerary while visiting Santa Clara. His visit will culminate in the keynote address, which takes place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Recital Hall, located in the Music and Dance Building near Mayer Theater. Admission is free and no prior experience or knowledge of Burroughs' work is needed to attend. The speech will not be just a discussion of his literature, but a recount of his individual experiences. CSL encourages all students to join in the event, which they expect to touch on universal issues.

* Contact Emily Bjorklund at (408) 554-4546 or ebjorklund@scu.edu.