The deadline for readers from across the Penn State community to nominate books for the 2015-16 Penn State Reads program has been extended to Friday, Feb. 28.
The program, launched in 2013, runs complementary to Penn State’s New Student Orientation and supplies each first-year University Park campus student with a copy of the chosen book to facilitate a shared experience. Several other Penn State campuses also are participating in a pilot of the program using the same text.
Penn State Reads aims to encourage intellectual engagement within and beyond the classroom, stimulate critical thinking and foster a deeper connection to Penn State’s mission and core values. Concepts are introduced to incoming students at New Student Orientation during the summer, and events based upon the book’s themes, including a visit by the author, are planned throughout the school year. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to read the book and participate in the events.
Book nominations for the 2015-16 school year can be sent to pennstatereads@psu.edu. Anyone is welcome to make a submission.
After nominations are received, the Penn State Reads steering committee will narrow the submissions to a short list then send out a call for volunteer readers to narrow the list to a final book. Anyone who would like to be a reader can volunteer by emailing pennstatereads@psu.edu or by including a note when submitting book nominations.
The Penn State Reads program is currently in its inaugural year with “Beautiful Souls: The Courage and Conscience of Ordinary People in Extraordinary Times,” by Eyal Press, serving as the common text. The book already has been integrated into many first-year seminars and other courses.
“Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — listed on The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2013 — was chosen for the 2014-15 incoming class.