Transcript Common Read - Davenport University

Our not so common,
common read
program
Presented by Jodi M. Hicks
Common Read Goals
• Enhance the academic climate for first year students
• Provide a common intellectual experience
• Foster a sense of shared experience among DU students, faculty, staff,
and external communities
a little history
Oct. 2011
Dr. Terri Tomaszek and Dr. Keri Dutkiewicz asked to coordinate a University wide Freshmen
Read Project.
Nov. 2011Jan. 2012
A large cross-functional group was formed to read several potential books. The book “The
Other Wes Moore” was chosen.
Jan. 2012
Title of inaugural event changed to Common Read
Feb. 2012
Author, Mr. Wes Moore was secured for a personal visit on October 17, 2012
Community Outreach with KDL
• Feb. 2012, Dr. Rinker suggested we reach out to the community and the Kent
District Libraries (Caledonia and Kentwood branches) joined the initiative.
• Terri serves as the coordinator for this portion of the program.
• Book discussions held at each library (led by DU)
• Essay contest also held at each library
Community College Connection
• April 2012, Dr. Rinker met with leadership from Grand Rapids Community
College, and they decided to partner with us.
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They will have an estimated 1500 students reading the book agreeing to share a
portion of the cost.
Partnership is for every other year, with the host institution picking up 75% of the cost.
Keynote speech by author given at host institution.
We hosted in 2012, GRCC serves as the host for 2014.
Twofold
Reading the book
Planning the event
Integration of book into all FRSM100
courses as a supplemental reader
Became part of the Presidential Lecture
Series
Essay Contest
Media and Marketing involvement
Discussion groups here at DU and at KDL
Libraries
Campus Resources and Live-streaming
Online, HLTH101, ENGL
Public invited (attendance unpredictable)
Unexpected GROWTH of 2012
• Spring of 2012 – Wes Moore’s book and his own popularity sky rocket. He is
on several national talk shows, and the excitement of his appearance here in
Grand Rapids escalates.
• It was deemed necessary to move the event from the Sneden Auditorium
into the Student Activity Center to accommodate the growing number of
people interested in attending.
(Original contract with Wes was for 220 people. It then was estimated to be 500 and then
750 people. Attendance at the event was actually closer to 1,000 people.)
2013
• DU cross-functional group selects “The Good Food Revolution” by Will Allen
as the 2013 Common Read.
• 2013 we continue our partnership with Caledonia and Kentwood Libraries.
• Due to budget restrictions author does not come in person.
• Dr. Colleen Coughlin posted numerous resources to the FRSM100 Bb and
coordinated a special event for all Lettinga students.
• Other campuses coordinated their own community events.
This year…
• Met with GRCC last October to discuss numerous books we would consider
• Our joint committee selected “Just Don’t Fall” by Josh Sundquist
• Signed contract with Josh for his visit to Grand Rapids October 14-16
• Terri again leads the partnership with KDL
About the book
From Publishers Weekly
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Sundquist proves to be equally enthralling and witty at the written word in this sometimes heartbreaking, mostly uplifting
memoir. Diagnosed with cancer at the age of nine, Sundquist eventually is forced to deal with the harsh reality of losing his left
leg to amputation. Yet even at his young age, he deals with the setback with courage and determination, eventually setting his
sights on becoming a ski racer at the 2006 Paralympics in Italy.
While skiing becomes a large part of his life, his story is just as much about growing up in small-town Virginia and, for example,
dealing with common high school heartbreak. His dreams of a world ski racer are eventually met, because in his words, "I don't
have time to fail".
Some of his retelling of events at times seem over the top, but overall Sundquist is an honest and charming writer. And there
are countless lighthearted anecdotes, like his desire to stop being home schooled and attend public school partly for the pizza
without whole-wheat crust. The final chapter provides a fitting conclusion to Sundquist, proving that life is more about the
journey than the destination.
Publisher: Penguin Books (December 28, 2010) ISBN-10: 0143118781
Our bookstore is selling the hardcover book for appox $10. (suggested price is $25.95)
Details of Josh’s visit
• Josh will be at DU on Tuesday October 14th.
• He will meet with selected students in the morning for a Q/A
• He will do an informal presentation and Q/A in the Sneden from 1:00 – 2:30
• He will give a keynote presentation at GRCC Fieldhouse on Wed. Oct 15th
from 7:00 – 8:30pm
Meet Josh 
• Show video http://youtu.be/heXwld9qjQw
• Time for your Questions
• My Questions:
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How can we increase involvement with other DU faculty and staff?
What can be done on the other campuses to promote the book?
Any ideas for special Common Read assignments in the ACES 100 courses?