By: Arielle Suggs (Whetstone Staff Writer)

This fall, Wesley introduced its first Freshman Common reading program. A faculty committee picked Mark Haddon’s 2003 novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.

“In part, it focused on a young man who was in process of a major transition in his life, just as our first-year students are,” said English professor Linda he. “It is also just a good read.”

A free copy of the book was given to all first-year students.

“The Office of Student Affairs provided funding for the program,” De Roche said. “Copies of the book were given during the summer orientation session.”

The intention of the Freshman Common Reading Program was to give first-year students a common learning experience, said Frances Riddle, director of academic advisement who coordinated the program.

“It provided a common experience to unify the learning of every first-year student,” De Roche said. “We wanted our students to be reminded throughout the summer of their most important work at Wesley:  the learning experience.”

De Roche, Dr. Tery Griffin, Professor Victor Greto, Dr. Thomas Sturgis, Professor Rebecca Benson, Student Life activities director Sarah Smith, and Riddle, served on the committee, which met through the spring.

“We selected the book, recruited faculty discussion leaders, and developed strategies for the program’s success.”

Thirty faculty members volunteered to conduct 45-minute book discussions on the morning of Aug. 17.

“Such discussions should be at the heart of their Wesley learning experience,” De Roche said.

Professor of Education Jill Cole led one of the sessions.

“In my discussion group, we made text to self and text to world connections,” Cole said. “We also discussed opinions of the book.”

Cole was excited to have the program at Wesley.

“I knew of other colleges that had similar programs,” she said. “It is a good idea for students to share a common experience.”

First-year students supported the program as well.

“I actually liked the book,” freshman Leah Eubanks-Mattress said. “I liked that the main character, Christopher. He was very smart and knew what he wanted out of life.”

First-year students said the class helped them get to know each other.

“I felt connected to the people in my discussion group because I have an autistic sister and other people in my group were close to someone autistic,” Eubanks-Mattress said. “I was glad to know that other people knew what it was like.”

Freshman Lanice Patterson said her English teacher used the book in his class.

“In Dr. (Jeff) Gibson’s class we’ve already had to write an essay,” Patterson said.  “We could choose to write about how we related to Christopher or which parent we thought was better.”

The 2012 school is just the beginning for the Common Reading Program for first-year students, De Roche said.

“We will begin planning soon for next year’s Common Read,” she said. “We really believe in the program and want to make it an annual part of the first-year orientation experience.”