The Poly Post

Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Daniel Ucko/Poly Post Political science professor Renford Reese (right) goes eye to eye with the face of "American Bravado,"Richard Herrera (left). Herrera, a Cal Poly alumnus and former student, posed for the book's cover by request from Reese, who held "Keeping the Dream Alive," a fundraising event featuring a book signing and open house at his loft in downtown Pomona Saturday.

A firm believer that the most intimate form of communication is through one's name, Dr. Renford Reese knows every student's name in his classes by the end of the first day. Despite higher end job offers, Reese continues to teach political science at Cal Poly. While he is a teacher, friend, and mentor to many, the 40-year-old 'global citizen' is always willing to learn as much from his students as they learn from him.

Close to 500 members of the Cal Poly and Pomona communities gathered on the third floor of the Mission promenade lofts in downtown Pomona Saturday to attend "Keeping the Dream Alive," a free fundraising event that featured live performances, book signings and samplings of international food.

Political science professor Renford Reese had a consistent line of around 20 people waiting to get a word in and have him sign their copy of "American Bravado," his fourth book in four years.

"It was everything that I wanted it to be and more," Reese said as the event winded down.

Reese sold out of the 100 books he brought, and donated $1,000 - 100 percent of the profits - to the Black Faculty and Staff Scholarship Fund.

Elizabeth Samson, secretary for the Black Faculty Association, made sure she and her friends held off on buying "Bravado" on Amazon.com so they could purchase it at the signing.

"Renford is one of the major supporters for the scholarship fund," said Samson. "He's awesome, he's a good person. [I'm] coming to buy the book tonight [because I] want money to go to scholarships."

"American Bravado" focuses on how Americans have been taken over with ignorance, unaware of the world outside of their own country.

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