May 7, 2010

'Conversations With Jon Hassler'

Joe Plut, retired Central Lakes College instructor, signed copies of his book, “Conversations with Jon Hassler,” May 6 in the Jon Hassler Library at CLC. Joe’s book features interviews with his former CLC colleague and novelist Hassler, including numerous revelations on characters and symbolism from nine Hassler books. The two friends spent many hours over a four-year period in conversations to shape the book before Joe retired in 2001 after 36 years at the college. Jon Hassler, who died in 2008, began his writing career during 12 years on the CLC faculty before moving on to St. John’s University, Collegeville. The book signing at CLC was the first of several such appearances for Joe, affectionately known as “the mad hugger” when he taught creative communication, film appreciation, and other English and humanities courses at CLC. In his early retirement, Joe also taught three semesters of "The Novels of Jon Hassler" in which he incorporated his conversations with the author.