A member of Janet Morford's fourth-period class of subfreshmen listens to Jimmie Briggs on Monday. Gargoyle photo by Katy Metcalf (click to enlarge)

URBANA — Journalist and author Jimmie Briggs sat comfortably in front of Janet Morford's subfreshman social studies class Monday morning and waited for the questions to begin.

It was the first day of his two-week visit to Uni High, during which the acclaimed author of "Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War" is scheduled to talk to many Uni classes about his work.

Briggs is on the University of Illinois campus as a Unit One guest-in-residence at Allen Hall and as a Department of African American Studies visiting scholar.

The fourth-period class began with Morford asking Briggs about his life and how he decided to go into journalism.

At first, the subfreshmen seemed reluctant to ask questions, but they became more courageous as the visit continued, until almost all of the dialogue was between Briggs and the students.

The writer discussed various topics, including his favorite and least favorite parts of his job, the differences between writing about serious topics and writing feature stories, and many other things.

He spoke at length about his childhood dream of becoming a doctor, a path which became less and less important to him during his time as a student as Morehouse College.

During a trip to Vienna, he said, he decided that he wanted to travel the world. His natural love of writing led him to work for various newspapers and magazines, and during a trip to Africa for LIFE magazine he encountered child soldiers for the first time.

"It was striking," Briggs said. "When I went home after the trip, I knew I wanted to write more about this."

The result was "Innocents Lost," published in 2005 after six years in the making. The book established Briggs as an authority on child soldiers, and he was the first African American to be named goodwill ambassador and special envoy for children and armed conflict by the World Association of Former United Nations Interns and Fellows (WAFUNIF). He also served as a special consultant for the United Nations Special Session on Children.

Briggs continued his Uni visit today, speaking to the student group United for Uganda and another section of Morford's subfreshmen.

On Sept. 24, all Uni students and faculty will have a chance to listen to Briggs when he speaks at a schoolwide assembly from 12:25 to 1:35 p.m. Until then, students and faculty are welcome to drop by the other events scheduled for him (see below).

REMAINING SCHEDULE FOR JIMMIE BRIGGS, Sept. 16-27

Tuesday, Sept. 16

Wednesday, Sept. 17

• 10:45-11:35 a.m. — Uni High: Meet with English teacher Del Suslick's freshmen
• 2:05-2:55 p.m. — Uni High: Meet with social studies teacher Billy Vaughn's philosophy students
• 7 p.m. — Unit One Talk: "Men and Gender Violence," South Rec Room, Allen Hall

Thursday, Sept. 18

• 10:45-11:35 a.m. — Uni High: Meet with social studies teacher Janet Morford's subfreshmen
• 12:15-1:05 p.m. — Uni High: Meet with social studies teacher Janet Morford's subfreshmen
• 2:05-2:55 p.m. — Uni High: Meet with social studies teacher Janet Morford's subfreshmen
• 7 p.m. — Unit One Talk: "Men and Gender Violence," South Rec Room, Allen Hall

Friday, Sept. 19

• No events scheduled

Saturday, Sept. 20

• 11 a.m. — WBCP 1580-AM "Straight Talk" live interview with Imani Bazzell
• Move to Florida Avenue Residence Hall

Sunday, Sept. 21

• No events scheduled

Monday, Sept. 22

• 10:45-11:35 a.m. — Uni High: Meet with journalism teacher David Porreca's students
• 12:15-1:05 p.m. — Uni High: Meet with journalism teacher David Porreca's students

Tuesday, Sept. 23

• 12:15-1:05 p.m. — Uni High: Meet with English teacher Suzanne Linder's social advocacy students
• 3-3:50 p.m. — Uni High: Meet with English teacher Del Suslick's freshmen

Wednesday, Sept. 24

• 11-11:40 a.m. — Uni High: Meet with English teacher Suzanne Linder's social advocacy students
• 12:25-1:35 p.m. — Uni High: Schoolwide assembly
• 1:40-2:20 p.m. — Uni High: Meet with English teacher Del Suslick's freshmen

Thursday, Sept. 25

• 11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. — Uni High: Brown-bag lunch program
• 12:15-1:05 p.m. — Uni High: Meet with English teacher Elizabeth Majerus' creative writing students
• 7 p.m. — "Global Crossroads & Intersections" talk (location TBA)

Friday, Sept. 26

• 12:15-1:05 p.m. — Uni High: Meet with English teacher Elizabeth Majerus' creative writing students

Saturday, Sept. 27

• Depart campus