The book of Bobb

The memento was a handmade, leather-bound book that contains the heartfelt sentiments from many who worked with him over the course of his 30-year Lehigh career.
The scrapbook, created by Amy Forsyth, an associate professor of art and architecture, and senior Hayley Burns, was comprised of letters of well-wishes, photos and articles sent in by CAS staffers at the request of Carl Moses, associate dean.
Scanned by Burns and printed on heavy cream stock, the book was stitched together with waxed linen bookbinding thread, and bound in rich brown leather. A light blue satin ribbon bound into the book serves as a page marker.
In completing the book, Forsyth repeated a process she teaches to her drawing students, who undertake an initial journal-making project as part of her drawing class.
The project came about through a suggestion by Hannah Stewart-Gambino, associate dean, who remembered Forsyth’s book-bound portfolio when she applied for a teaching position at Lehigh.
Hannah asked me to do this for Bobb Carson, and we agreed that it would make a great tribute to his Lehigh career, said Forsyth. The challenge was how to compile all this information in some sort of orderly format. Hayley was a big help—she handled the printing and the layout, and worked with me in one four-hour session to put it all together.
The collective college-wide effort resulted in a one-of-a-kind keepsake that Forsyth is certain Carson will cherish.
A book like this, a singular object that pulls all these disparate threads together in one collection, is something invaluable to the recipient, Forsyth said. The sentiments expressed by his colleagues and contained in this book are a true reflection of our respect and admiration for Bobb.
--Linda Harbrecht
lmh2@lehigh.edu