RICHLAND — WSU Tri-Cities is launching a Summer Reading program for freshmen, selecting “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time” as the inaugural book.
“The goals are to increase cultural awareness and understanding; share a common reading experience among students, faculty and staff; and provide students with an early academic experience integrated with the freshman year,” said James R. (Dick) Pratt, vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Three Cups of Tea is a best-selling book by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin. It details Mortensen’s experience as a lost mountaineer in northern Pakistan. His chance encounter with a small village led to his commitment to reduce poverty and educate girls in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Over time, he built the Central Asia Institute, eventually building more than 78 schools. Mortensen had to overcome his cultural ignorance in dealing with village elders, Taliban officials, philanthropists and con artists. Ultimately, the book focuses on the importance of education as a solution to poverty. More information is available at www.threecupsoftea.com.
Pratt will introduce the Summer Reading program this Friday morning, June 19, at the first of several orientation sessions for incoming freshmen. Each freshman is expected to have completed the book before fall semester begins on August 24, as it will be discussed during the first week of courses.
For more information about the Summer Reading program, call 509-372-7217 or visit www.tricity.wsu.edu/summerreading.
