Days after arriving on campus to begin their first year at the University, many new students gathered to participate in the third annual summer reading program. The freshmen in attendance filled more than half of the Maddox Field House on Aug. 25 to participate in this year’s academic convocation, focusing on Gregory Williams’ autobiography “Life on the Color Line.” The book tells Williams’ story of facing hardship while growing up as a white child and later discovering his father was half black. “I hope my book provokes some thought and conversation,” said Williams, author of three books and articles published in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Washington Post. Following Williams’ address, students split into seminar groups led by faculty. Student reactions were mixed, but most of them expressed positive responses to the book’s message. “I thought it was a very good book,” said Yvette Triay, mechanical engineering freshman. “It was heartwarming.” Students said they thought the book gave insight into the lives of people of different races. “I really liked [the book] because it gave a different perspective,” said Danica Nguyen, chemical engineering freshman. “I liked seeing how he lived his life.” Nguyen said the book was inspirational. “I like that you can learn how to deal with obstacles,” Nguyen said. Not all students had time to finish the book. “It was pretty good up to page 86,” said Josh Rhoads, business freshman. Triay said students who read the book and chose to attend had the opportunity to benefit from reading the book, but most students said they participated in the convocation only because it was mandatory. But this year’s program touched more people than the freshman class. Williams also spoke to local residents and the University’s faculty, staff and students Friday night at a second presentation in the Cox Center. “This is a great book to read that could probably help strengthen community ties and get to see another side of how people live,” Robin Kistler, public affairs marketing director, told The Daily Reveille. Risa Palm, executive vice chancellor and provost, said the University’s Summer Reading Program is one of the most advanced in the nation. “We’ve also engaged the city and community in the program,” Palm said. The University gave each freshman the book for free. Cox Communications, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Forum 35, Southern University and the YMCA of Greater Baton Rouge assisted the University in funding the summer reading program. The University spearheaded the summer reading program two years ago with Eric Schlosser’s “Fast Food Nation.” Last year, incoming freshmen read Tracy Kidder’s “Mountains Beyond Mountains.” Summer reading books are selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students.
Williams reminded students that they were going to learn a lot in the next few years. “There is a lot to be learned at LSU,” Williams said. “There is a lot to learn from the groups you join, the people you meet and, yes, the books you read.”
—–Contact Justin Fritscher at [email protected]