Video: StoryCorps Founder Dave Isay Discusses His Mission

Watch the video (total time: 01:43) »

Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps and author of Listening is an Act of Love, addressed more than 150 second-year students recently as part of the Second-Year Opportunities Program (also known as “2YO”) at Holy Cross. Isay dined with a group of second-year students before giving his talk, and stayed after to sign copies of his book, which was the required summer reading for the Class of 2013.

StoryCorps is an ongoing project that allows two or more people, often family members or best friends, to enter a private booth and interview each other. Isay’s address focused on the concept that everyone has a story, and that honoring the ones we love by listening to these stories can be an enriching and transformative experience. His emotional talk, which featured both audio snippets and cartoon clips of recorded interviews, brought audience members to tears on multiple occasions.

The 2YO program, one of the few of its kind in the nation, provides opportunities for sophomores to reflect on their academic goals and progress in order to make the most of their three remaining years at Holy Cross. Through a common reading, advising, and a keynote address to the sophomore class, 2YO introduces students to the value of the College’s rich curricular electives, including minors, concentrations, study away and abroad, special academic and advisory programs, internships, college and departmental honors programs, and post-baccalaureate opportunities.

Before the talk, we sat down with Isay for a video interview in which he talks about the foundation of StoryCorps, and shares one of his favorite stories. Watch the video (total time: 01:43) »

By Dan DeConinck ’13