Berks

Patrick Combs presents 'The Alchemist' applied to real life

Inspirational speaker Patrick Combs asks how the messages of "The Alchemist," an international bestseller by Paulo Coehlo hailed by millions as a truly life-changing fable, apply to real life in this presentation at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.

Combs illustrates how real life often adheres closely to the mystical truths that are taught in Coehlo’s book, which tells the story of a shepherd boy who dreams of distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids and leaves his homeland to follow his dream. Using his own life experiences as examples, Combs brings the messages of The Alchemist to life.

The Penn State Berks college community selected "The Alchemist" for its fourth annual Common Reading Program. Each year, a work is chosen by faculty and staff for the program, which is part of every first-year seminar curriculum. Since then, the campus community has engaged in dialogue surrounding issues of global conservation, diversity, ethics and integrity, and this year’s topic of wellness. Common reading selections from prior years include: "Gaviotas"  by Alan Weisman, "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini and "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlossinger.

“We designed the first-year experience to meet the goals of creating diverse learning opportunities and giving incoming students a chance to connect with fellow classmates prior to beginning their new academic life,” said Valerie Rowe, coordinator of the Common Reading Program and instructor in kinesiology.

However, the program is not limited to the first-year seminar; it ties together all aspects of campus living through its inclusion in the orientation program, residence life activities, lecture series and service opportunities. It also unites the campus community through faculty and staff participation,

For more information on this presentation, contact John Gallagher at (610) 396-6076.

 

Last Updated January 10, 2015

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