Dear Clemson:
You are invited to participate in the 2006 Summer Reading Program for all incoming freshmen. This year's book, Truth & Beauty was written by Ann Patchett, and on Tuesday, August 22, at 1:00 p.m. she will address the entire freshman class, along with faculty and staff at Freshman Convocation at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Immediately after the author's address, students will break up into small groups across campus to discuss her remarks, their thoughts on the book, and their reactions to the Summer Reading assignment. I am asking all interested faculty and staff to participate as facilitators of these discussion groups. We will need a lot of help to make this endeavor successful and we will provide you with the resources you will need to lead these discussions. You can volunteer to be a discussion leader by clicking http://stuaff.clemson.edu/summer/.
Truth & Beauty is a memoir of Patchett's friendship with Autobiography of a Face author Lucy Grealy that shares many insights into the nature of devotion and friendship. It is a wonderfully written chronicle.
I hope that you will also join other faculty and staff facilitators for lunch at noon on April 17, in the Hendrix Center Meeting Rooms to help kick off this year's Summer Reading Program and Presidential Colloquium. Facilitators will receive a complimentary book and study guide at the luncheon, as well as hear about changes and expectations for this year's Summer Reading Program and discussion board options for incoming freshmen.
I encourage you to join the Summer Reading Program as a group facilitator and register for the luncheon by clicking the link above. If you cannot attend the kick-off luncheon, Casey Berkshire, Director for the Summer Reading Program, will forward a copy of the book to your office address.
As you all know, this program is a campus-wide effort. Thank you in advance for helping make our fourth Summer Reading Program a success.
Sincerely,
James F. Barker, FAIA
President