The Freshman Common Reading and Writing Experience serves as the first academic assignment for incoming freshmen. Students receive a copy of the book during summer orientation along with support materials. Students are required to complete the related online writing assignment before arriving on campus and then participate in small group discussions following Freshman Convocation. The book is used in a variety of fall semester classes and sets the theme for the Freshman Connections learning community programming. The author of the book visits campus during September and presents a free public lecture.
Jeannette Walls, Author of The Glass Castle, September 21, 7:30 p.m.
Freshmen Connections in pleased to present the author of this year's Freshman Common reader Jeannette Walls. In her book, "The Glass Castle," Walls describes a childhood that is both magical and tragic. The family faced extreme poverty in a West Virginia mining town with determination, love, and surprising creativity.
Despite all the challenges faced, Walls developed the determination to leave West Virginia on her own at the age of sixteen, moved to New York City, enrolled in Barnard College and eventually became a well-known columnist for New York magazine and MSNBC.com
She tells her story with humor, understanding, and love and will share this experience and others during her presentation.
As the freshmen class explores the theme of "Shattering Stereotypes about Poverty," they will read the memoir and also participate in a "10,000 Hours of Service" drive, which is co-sponsored with the office of Student Voluntary Services.
Resource: Biographical information provided by Keppler Speaker Bureau