Ģš¹ĻŹÓʵapp

 WCU Stories      July 12, 2018

Ģš¹ĻŹÓʵappā€™s One Book committee, which is responsible for selecting the book that is distributed to all first-year students before fall semester, has been wanting to choose a title that connects with the campus theme.

But because the committee begins nominating books in August in order to have one chosen by January for the following academic year, and the campus theme generally isnā€™t selected until February, it has been difficult to pair the two. This year, purely by coincidence, the committeeā€™s book, ā€œThe Book of Unknown Americansā€ by Cristina Henriquez, corresponds with the 2018-19 campus theme, ā€œDefining America.ā€

ā€œThe committee went with a gut instinct based on everything thatā€™s going on in the world right now,ā€ said Glenda Hensley, director of WCUā€™s First Year Experience. ā€œStudent surveys said they were interested in topics about race and class and civil rights. It worked out that our book and the campus theme are perfectly aligned this year.ā€

ā€œThe Book of Unknown Americansā€ is a narrative of intersecting stories of individuals who have immigrated to the United States. The stories are revealed in the shadows of 9/11. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character.

The One Book Program is headed into its fifth year. Its mission is to engage first-year students, as well as the campus community, in a common intellectual experience that promotes critical thinking and interdisciplinary conversation. Students are instructed to read the book before fall semester. It is a requirement for all students enrolled in a first-year transition course. The program is sponsored by the Office of Student Transitions in the Division of Student Success.

The committee is comprised of representatives from across the university as they nominate and discuss books before making a final decision in January. Hensley said this yearā€™s committee saw more students actively participate than in yearā€™s past.

One thing they did to facilitate that involvement was to conduct a student opinion survey last October. It was done through social media channels and involved freshmen through seniors. The survey consisted of a series of questions that ranged from what type of books do you like, what genres do you like, and what kinds of programs would you like to see to what can we do to make you want to participate to read?

The final question was open-ended, asking students to submit book titles they enjoyed reading and would recommend to others.

ā€œWe also hosted a series of student focus group meetings in the middle of the fall to have more in-depth conversations, specifically targeting non-first-year students, asking them for some feedback,ā€ Hensley said.

This year, the program also will connect with the Spring Literary Festival in March. The bookā€™s author, Henriquez, will come to WCU on Thursday, March 21, for a reception and book signing from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the A.K. Hinds University Centerā€™s Grandroom.

Other One Book events and programs include:

New Student Convocation Keynote Speaker: Nikki Giovanni will speak at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center.

ā€Ęą±š±ō“Ē°ł±š²õā€: A documentary on the life and work of Delores Huerta will be shown at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, in the UC theater.

Defining America/One Book ā€“ One Look: A Gallery Exhibition: An art exhibit at WCUā€™s Fine Arts Museum from Tuesday, Sept. 11, to Friday, May 3, 2019. A reception will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m.

We Were Migrants: Chronicle Of Indigenous Migrants From Chiapas, Mexico: An exhibit for Hispanic Heritage Month from Wednesday, Sept. 12, to Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the Fine Arts Museumā€™s atrium gallery.

Chancellorā€™s List Keynote Address: Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch: Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m. in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Movie: ā€œCocoā€: Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27, at 7 and 10 p.m. both nights in the UC theater.

Tunnel of Oppression: Itā€™s Hard To Have Liberty: Sponsored by Intercultural Affairs. Tuesday, Feb. 19, and Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We Were Migrants: Chronicle Of Indigenous Migrants From Chiapas, Mexico: An exhibit for Hispanic Heritage Month from Monday, March 18, to Saturday, March 30, in the Intercultural Affairs gallery.

For more information, contact WCU's Office of Student Transitions at 828-227-3017.