Summer Reading

What is the Summer Reading Program?
The purpose of this program is to set the academic tone for new students, to encourage intellectual interaction among first –year students, their peers, and faculty, and to provide an enhanced sense of community for the campus.  After reading the book over the summer, students will discuss it during August Orientation, and return to several of its themes throughout the academic year both in Freshman Seminar classes and in extra-curricular events. At your June Orientation session, information about an essay contest on "Mountains Beyond Mountains" was distributed, as were discussion questions. We have posted these on-line for your convenience!

What is the summer reading book selection?
This year, we have chosen Mountains Beyond Mountains, by Tracy Kidder. Each first-year student will receive a complimentary copy of the book.

About the Book:

     The New York Times Book Review included these remarks:
''Mountains Beyond Mountains'' is about one physician's quest to relieve suffering in just the kind of places we do not like to think about. In a stylistic departure from most of Kidder's previous books, he writes in the first person, offering himself as a character and even as a foil, so that his own reactions of admiration, skepticism, exasperation and awe provide a second lens by which to see Dr. Paul Farmer.