Alumni Authors

John Weaver '72 has had a fascination with forts and fortifications that dates back to his childhood. Combined with the love of history, John spent 22 years researching masonry coastal fortifications in the United States that were built from 1816-1867. These masterpieces of design and workmanship were built in response to the War of 1812 and saw action in the Civil War. Such household names as Fort Sumter, Fort Pickens, Fort Jefferson and Fort Taylor were key elements of this group of 42 forts. John's book, "A Legacy of Brick and Stone," has been termed the definitive history of these fortifications and has been used by historians here and abroad. It has also been used as a college textbook. A copy is available in the College's Shipman Library.

Weaver is also the author of a technical book entitled A User's Guide to Cleanroom Design and Construction. Published in 1986, it is now out of print.

George Burk '63 of Scottsdale, Ariz., has written his third book, "My Mother My Friend: The Story of a Boy and The Love of His Mother" (Beach House Books, 2006). It is a memoir.

Burk is a motivational speaker and writer. In 1970, he was severely burned and injured in a military plane crash, and was the only survivor. In his new book, he aims to share principles of leadership that he has learned will help overcome the obstacles of everyday life.

He is also the author of "Value Centered Leadership: A Survivors Strategy for Personal and Professional Growth" (Science and Humanities Press, 2004) and "The Bridge Never Crossed: A Survivor's Search for Meaning" (Science and Humanities Press, 1999).. More information is available at www.georgeburk.com.

Becky Stewart-Gross, Ph.D., '81 is the author of "The Leader's Communication Toolkit: How to Select the Right Communication Method in an Electronic World" (Human Resource Development Press, 2004). The book, released in April, focuses on the proliferation of business communication tools and the need to synchronize the purpose of the message, the content, and the audience with a suitable method of communication.

Stewart-Gross, a businesswoman in Green Bay, WI., is president and founder of Building Bridges, which provides assistance to companies, teams and individuals in building bridges to better communication.

Kevin Hile '88 has been a fan of fantasy and science fiction for most of his life, from the time he fell in love with the "The Chronicles of Narnia" as a child. After working for years in the editing and publishing business - including a decade in the literature department of a publishing house - he decided to try writing some fantasy of his own.

"The Steel of Enadia," his first fantasy novel, was published by Double Dragon Publishing in June. The book won Double Dragon's First Annual Draco Award for Best Fantasy, a competition judged by best selling author Piers Anthony.

Hile is currently a freelance writer and editor. He and his wife Janet Crawford Hile '87 live in Mason. He recently published two textbooks, "Trial of Juveniles as Adults" (2003) and "Animal Rights" (2004), both by Chelsea House. For more information, visit www.kevinhile.com.