Read. See. Hear.

The Chicago East India Company
Christopher Lyke ’94

How does a veteran cope with the trauma of war once he returns home? Based on the U.S. Army service in Afghanistan of Christopher Lyke ’94 and his time teaching in Chicago, The Chicago East India Company is a collection of short stories on different themes. One story features a soldier returning from war only to realize he’s teaching the colonized in his own city. Another tells the story of a couple traveling through Central America who see the influence of the West. Lyke is the co-founder and editor of Line of Advance, a literary blog for veterans.

You’re Special
Katherine Thomas Leurck ’91

Ever since he was 7, Drew has drawn a rainbow every day for his mother, Katherine Thomas Leurck ’91. Now 24, Drew still draws a rainbow every day for strangers, reminding them of their uniqueness and inner beauty. Inspired by her son’s exceptionalities, Leurck wrote the new book, You’re Special. “While often this community is encouraged to ‘change’ or ‘improve,’ these individuals, in my experience, are quite perfect just as they are,” Leurck said. “My goal with the book is to provide individuals with exceptionalities a limitless platform to teach and inspire.” 

We All Say God
Joshua Chamberlain ’14 and Dave “Zup” Zupkovich ’14

“Sometimes you’ve got to have a bad cup of coffee to know what a good cup of coffee tastes like.” That is just one of many insightful lines in the short film We All Say God by Joshua Chamberlain ’14 with music composed by Dave “Zup” Zupkovich ’14. The film explores two alcoholics in the middle of their recovery when they both discover that God really does work in mysterious ways. The film earned an award of excellence from the Best Shorts Competition. It’s available on YouTube.