The Honors College Summer Reading Program would be a new activity that entering freshman participate in. During IntroDUCKtion, they would be given a book by the Honors College, with perhaps a short explanation of the book’s meaningfulness. The chosen book would be applicable to a variety of interests, be provocative and have an inspirational message or story. The book would be discussed by HC students at NSO and somewhat in the CHIPs and Honors Residence Halls. Additionally, an internet-based discussion board would be used to engage students before NSO. The discussion board would pose various questions and would include “guest commentators,” such as the book’s author, professors, or professionals in the field. The HC program would be augmented by a program called the University Forum, in which non-HC students would read the text and be engaged in the surrounding events. The events may include a book talk by the author, a debate of a key issue presented in the text, or a residence hall “Community Conversation.”

The 2009/2010 school year would serve as a pilot year, using Tracy Kidder’s Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Doctor Paul Farmer, a Man Who Could Cure the World. The book is a biography of a Harvard doctor who’s spent the majority of his career advocating for health and human rights in Haiti. The book delves into topics such as ethics, leadership, global politics, healthcare, poverty, justice, and the role of a student.

ADVANTAGES TO SUMMER READING:

• Builds community
• o Providing a conversation starter
• o Engaging students early
• o Continuing interest with fall term events
• o Exciting events show HC students they made the right choice
• Intellectual capacity
• o Synthesis of multiple sources — book, online discussion, talks, in-class discussion
• o Inspiration, especially with speaking events
• o View into the scholarly life: reading, public speaking, writing.

ADVANTAGES TO MOUNTAINS BEYOND MOUNTAINS

• Multi-disciplinary
• o Pre-med / biology (He’s a doctor)
• o International / Latin American / African studies (Works abroad)
• o Journalism (Author is award-winning journalist)
• o Philosophy (Addresses large ethical issues)
• o Political science (Talks a lot about global political situations of impoverished nations)
• o Business (Leadership)
• Inspirational
• Global perspective
• Justice-oriented

OTHER SCHOOLS THAT HAVE USED MBM FOR SUMMER READING PROGRAMS:

• Stanford University
• Dartmouth College
• Duke University
• Louisiana State University
• University of Washington
• Linfield College
• Saint Louis University
• Case University
• Smith College
• Skidmore College
• Gustavus Adolphus
• Carleton College
• University of Florida
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Syracuse University
• Baruch College
• Fort Lewis College
• Rutgers University

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

The University of Florida, whose summer reading program is new this year, bought and distributed 7,000 copies of Mr. Kidder’s book. The author will speak there in October. “We’re trying to provide our large first-year class with a common intellectual base, and promote certain values, about leadership, ethics and service,” said Patricia Telles-Irvin, vice president of the division of student affairs. “The notion that one person can make a difference, so strong in this book, is a theme we really like.”
New York Times, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/08/education/08books.html?pagewanted=print

Michael Arnush—director of first-year experience at Skidmore College, which started its summer reading requirement a decade ago—says the goal is to engage students early with a “proactive discussion of challenging reading.”
US News and World Report, 2007
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/articles/070607/7summer.htm

“Kidder, a master documentarian, has primarily practiced his art on his home turf, Massachusetts, proving that one small place abounds in amazing stories. Now, in his most compelling chronicle to date, this Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner investigates a far harsher world in the company of Paul Farmer, a radical public health reformer devoted to providing medical care to the poor, mainly in Haiti. A Harvard-educated medical anthropologist, TB expert, and MacArthur “genius” gifted with an unshakable moral imperative, an ardent imagination, and limitless energy, compassion, and chutzpah, Farmer created Partners in Health, a renegade yet hugely influential organization. A powerful presence, this uncompromising visionary is too spectacularly impressive not to be disconcerting, and Kidder shares his puzzlement over and occasional discomfort with this charismatic and tirelessly giving man who eschews personal comfort to care for the “underdogs of the underdogs.” As Kidder accompanies Farmer on his exhausting and risky daily routines and epic travels, he parses the cruel realities of deep poverty and the maddening politics of international health care. Most importantly, Kidder portrays a genuinely inspired and heroic individual, whose quest for justice will make every reader examine her or his life in a new light. ” Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

POSSIBLE SPEAKERS:

• Tracy Kidder, Author
• Brian Concannon, Director, Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, Joeseph, OR

CONFIRMED PARTNERS:

• Residence Halls / Community Conversations
• African Studies Program
• The Duck Store — I met with Laura Carroll White at the Duck Store (5/12)  and she said since he is touring, there is a possibility Kidder would visit through Random House, his publisher.

POSSIBLE PARTNERS:

• Cultural Forum
• School of Journalism
• International Studies
• Biology
• ASUO