Otterbein College has established a common reading experience for new students through a gift from an alumna, Mary Thomas ‘28. The selection of books for the common reading experience reflects Otterbein’s resolve to add an academic component to new student orientation and to present itself to incoming students as an intellectual community willing to grapple with significant contemporary issues. Since 1995, the series seeks to stimulate a year-long discussion of an academic theme derived from common book issues by exploring it in classes, residence halls, and co-curricular programming. This common reading experience involves all incoming first-year students, faculty, many staff members, and student leaders. A committee of faculty, staff, and students select from over fifty books each year in an effort to find a significant contemporary work to read the next year.

Who gets the Common Book?
The selected book is distributed to first-year students free of charge during orientation sessions in the summer and New Student Weekend. Faculty and staff also receive a free copy of the book so they may prepare for the upcoming year’s events. Program organizers encourage all faculty members to use the book in their classes, take part in the year-long programming related to the book, or discuss the book with first-year students in informal ways.

The Writing Assignment
Before school starts, each student is expected to read the common book and write an essay to present to their Integrative Studies professor during New Student Weekend in September.

How is the Common Book selected?
A committee of faculty, staff, and students select from over fifty books each year in an effort to find a significant contemporary work to read the next year. If you enjoy reading and are interested in joining the committee, contact Kate Porubcansky, Co-Chair of the Committee (614) 823-3202.