Dear Parents,
Your son or daughter will soon be heading off to Washington University. As a parent, you are likely experiencing many of the same feelings of pride, nervousness, and excitement as your child. While you and your family savor the last few pre-university months, we are busy preparing to welcome your student to the Washington University community with many interesting and thought-provoking programs, which will take place during new student orientation and beyond. One such activity is the Freshman Reading Program.
The Freshman Reading Program will serve as your student's entrée into the world of academia. Before leaving home, students will read the book When the Emperor Was Divine, by Julie Otsuka, and will be challenged to think creatively and submit a final book chapter to the "Finish the Story" contest. In so doing, incoming students will receive a taste of the exciting academic and intellectual adventures yet to come.
On Monday, August 24th, as part of the 7th annual Freshman Reading Program, students will participate in dynamic and thought-provoking small-group discussions of the book led by key University faculty members.
On Tuesday, September 15th, Julie Otsuka, author of When the Emperor Was Divine, will visit campus to give an Assembly Series lecture and to meet with the winners of the "Finish the Story" contest as well as other select students. Additional programming events related to the themes explored in the book will continue throughout the academic year.
The Freshman Reading Program aims:
- to introduce students to the spirit of inquiry and debate that is integral to the Washington University academic community,
- to provide a common intellectual experience for incoming students, as well as participating members of the faculty and staff,
- to provide an opportunity for students to meet and interact with a member of the Washington University faculty in an informal discussion, outside the boundaries of the classroom and formal academic requirements.
During Parents Weekend, you will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion of When the Emperor Was Divine with distinguished Washington University faculty members who will have led student discussions on the book. They will provide information on the program, share what transpired in their individual discussion groups and discuss their perspectives on the book. All parents are encouraged to attend and participate in the event. As more information about the event becomes available, it will be posted on the Parents Weekend Web page.
Additional information about parent and family events, campus news and resources, ways you can give back to the University community and contact information can be found on the WUSTL Parents Web site at: http://parents.wustl.edu/index.html.