ORIENTATION 2009

Common Reading Program

The 2009 Common Reading is Three Cups of Tea, One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. This is the story of Greg Mortenson, a mountaineer who was climbing K-2 when a failed attempt left him stranded in a remote mountain village in Pakistan. In gratitude for saving his life, Mortenson pledged to build a school in the village and has gone on to build dozens of schools for girls all over this region. The story is not only a testament to the power of one individual but also an inspiring adventure story.

Greg Mortenson will speak at Fall Convocation on Wednesday, August 26, at 4:30 p.m. in Severance Hall.

History of the Common Reading Program

The Common Reading Program was started in 2002 for first-year students at Case Western Reserve University. For the past eight years, new undergraduate students have been given a common reading assignment during the summer.  The assigned book then serves as a basis for programs and discussions beginning at orientation and continuing through the fall semester.

The Common Reading Program engages students in discussions about an important theme or idea. Once a book is selected by the Common Reading Selection Committee, the selected reading is distributed to new undergraduate students during the summer and serves as a basis for programs and discussion. Any student who needs the common reading in alternative format should contact the Disability Resources office at 216.368.5230 or disability@case.edu. Faculty are encouraged to consider the reading, when appropriate, in designing course curricula. The book's theme is also worked into community discussions, where relevant.