Page 14 - Jimo Connell News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Listen to Kelsey Patterson as she recommends Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder.

Some amazing individuals leave their marks on the national or international stage but there are others who make large and important contributions on a smaller stage. Dr. Jim O'Connell of Boston is one of those mostly unsung individuals. He has devoted his professional life to serving "rough sleepers," an old British term for individuals who live outside.

Thank you, Nicky and Ahmed. Students, faculty, staff, family, and friends, good afternoon and welcome! It is a true honor to be here with you today. If I seem out of breath, it’s because I rushed over here after attending our son’s graduation from Harvard across the river. So today is especially meaningful for me, and I have a deeper appreciation for your special day here on the Quad.

Linn County farmer Jim O’Connell approaches farming and conservation with the same no nonsense attitude as he does coaching high school football — if you have a job to do, just do it.

Tracy Kidder's latest book is an investigation of homelessness titled Rough Sleepers. A strength of the book is the time the author invested in getting to know people whose daily lives on the streets are almost unimaginable.