In the dimly lit Maddox Fieldhouse, 4,400 entering freshmen chatted excitedly until Tracy Kidder, author of the University’s summer reading book, interrupted and asked the students to think about the millions of people who die annually because of inadequate health care.
The audience listened attentively as Kidder asked them to help combat what he called America’s “collective amnesia” toward global struggles.
Kidder, Paul Farmer, a medical doctor and the subject of Kidder’s book, and Provost Risa Palm spoke to students at Friday’s Academic Convocation as part of the University’s second annual summer reading program.
“Mountains Beyond Mountains” is the real-life story of Farmer’s efforts to provide low-cost health care in impoverished countries, including Haiti, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Though he admitted that he was not always the most diligent student, Kidder said he is optimistic about the power students have in their ability to incite change.
“When I look back on myself when I was freshman age, I had a hard time reading anything assigned, so I was surprised by how attentive the audience was,” Kidder said. “Being invited to LSU to speak to freshmen is a great opportunity for me to tell young people that they too can make a difference if they become aware of the forgotten people in this world.”
Leah Hebert, incoming elementary education freshman, said she was impressed the University was able to have both Kidder and Farmer speak to students.
“To read how much Dr. Farmer has done, it’s amazing that we heard him speak to us,” Hebert said.
Kidder emphasized the importance of young people becoming involved in helping people both internationally as well as in their own communities.
“Though it sounds cliché, the point of Dr. Farmer’s story is that a small group of people, perhaps even one person, can make a difference in this world,” Kidder said. “The key is curiosity. Curiosity is a great thing. It’s where all adventures begin.”
After Kidder’s address, Farmer took the stage to talk to the freshmen about his struggle to aid those suffering from diseases in some of the world’s poorest countries.
“Six million people will die of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria alone this year,” Farmer said. “There is a very grim and very real set of problems out there.”
Farmer cautioned the crowd to remember that although they are what he called the lucky ones in the world, ignorance to problems such as disease could be dangerous.
“Ignorance is not bliss,” Farmer said. “Ignorance is just ignorance. See your world the way it truly is.”
Farmer said he hopes young people around the country can break the apathetic stereotype placed on them by older generations.
“There are thousands of young people who are passionate about the struggles people face in the world,” Farmer said. “If we say that young people don’t care, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
At the conclusion of their speeches, Palm presented Farmer and Kidder with the University Medal, which is given to graduating seniors with a 4.0 GPA and to distinguished guests of the University.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for students to talk to an author and his subject and ask them questions about what they read,” Palm said. “It gives students a chance to see the University as a serious institution as well as a place where you can have a lot of fun.”
Contact Jeff Jeffrey at [email protected]