Summer Reading Initiative Unites New Students

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Author James McBride Fills the Ballroom With Humility, Music and Advice

President Carol A. Cartwright leads a discussion  in White Hall about the book, The Color of Water, used in the universitywide summer reading program for freshmen. Photo by Bob Christy

Standing before a packed house of mostly first-year students in the Ballroom of the Kent Student Center, James McBride, author of The Color of Water, said aloud something few writers are likely to admit.

“If I knew so many people would read it, I would have written a better book.”

But the 1,100-plus people in attendance reacted with a collective chuckle that indicated the book was just fine.

They are among millions of people worldwide who have read McBride’s book, subtitled “A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother.” The book was used in Kent State’s first universitywide summer reading program for freshman students.

Before his lecture on Sept. 14, McBride autographed more than 200 copies of his book, as a line of people stretched from the University Bookstore halfway across the first floor of the Kent Student Center. He also performed with his jazz quintet, Process.

The event, part of the 2005 Guest of Honor Series, was sponsored by the Honors College, College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost. It was one of a series of activities, centered on the book, designed to draw freshman students closer to each other and the university.

Terri Capellman, program director of the First-Year Experience, said the book was chosen by a universitywide planning committee because it touches on elements of diversity, identity, community and education, all topics of concern to new students.

All of the 3,500 incoming first-year students, and a number of those transferring in, were asked to read the book, and a discussion session was held Aug. 26 during the first University Orientation class in conjunction with the Week of Welcome activities. More than 180 class sections, led by faculty and staff facilitators, discussed the book. Many of the orientation classes will continue to use the book for discussions during fall semester.

James McBride, author of The Color of Water, visits the Kent Campus for booksigning at the University Bookstore.

The Summer Reading Program is designed to welcome and connect incoming students to the Kent State community, Capellman says. Reading the book provides a common ground for students to share on campus and provides a first encounter with the principle of diversity.

“The (selection) committee believes that this book will help first-year students gain a better understanding of the university’s value system,” says Capellman.

Additional goals of the project include providing a common intellectual experience for first-year students, creating a sense of community among students, faculty and staff, and developing a forum to express institutional value.

Focus groups for the facilitators were held over the last two weeks, and that information will help guide next year’s summer reading effort, Capellman said.

The selection committee is reviewing several books for the 2006 summer program and hopes to choose a book by the end of this semester, she adds.

For more information on the program, visit the Summer Reading Program Web site. Also, watch the related video in Windows Media Player or watch the video in QuickTime. 

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