“Food for Thought” is the theme of the campus’ 2009-10 Common Reading program. It’s off to a tantalizing start with the book, “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” in the hands of 3,500 freshmen and faculty.
New this year, the program will expand from one semester to two. The wealth of WSU research relating to topics in the book offers an abundance of opportunities for faculty, colleges and departments to engage with freshmen on those topics, said Karen Weathermon, director of WSU Learning Communities/Freshman Focus.
“This year’s Common Reading seems to be generating a good deal of energy among many on our campus,” said Mary F. Wack, vice provost for Undergraduate Education. “A broad range of topics will be explored in the coming year.”
Two special events are planned. First, “Omnivore’s Dilemma” author Michael Pollan will make an evening presentation on Jan. 13 in Beasley coliseum. His visit is sponsored by WSU alumnus and former chair of the board of regents Bill Marler.
Second, the campus YMCA will offer low-cost “Hunger Banquets” on four afternoons the week before Thanksgiving break. Up to 1,500 diners will be served either a little or a lot, in the tradition of Oxfam America events, to metaphorically show the inequitable distribution of food and resources around the world. Students in Human Development 205 will assist with the banquets as a class project.
A special showing of the trend flick, “King Corn,” last week to more than 400 freshmen and other students kicked off a jam-packed schedule of themed months and special events around the main point of the book, which is “What’s for dinner?”
Other events/activities completed and planned include:
“The goal of having a common book read by students, faculty and staff is to engage the community in academically centered critical thinking, communication, research and learning around a body of shared knowledge,” Wack said. “As plans play out, this will be a very rewarding and memorable year for our undergraduates.”
“Omnivore’s Dilemma” was published in 2006 and explores many aspects of what humans eat. Pollan explores what he calls three principal food chains (industrial, organic/pastoral and hunter-gatherer) and also writes about creating “the perfect meal.”
WSU faculty and staff who commented on the book last spring generally liked the choice, Weathermon said.
It is the third book chosen in as many years for the Common Reading at the Pullman campus. The fall 2007 book was “Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus That Caused It.” Author Gina Kolata and 1918 flu expert and former WSU faculty member Alfred W. Crosby visited campus.
In fall 2008, the selected book was “Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers.” Author Mary Roach came to Pullman to meet with students and faculty and make a presentation. More than a dozen evening events featured faculty and other guests talking about and demonstrating aspects of their research relating to book topics. Total attendance at these programs topped 3,500.
“We’re off to an exciting start,” said Susan Poch, leader of the Common Reading volunteer committee. “We hope the book chosen and the year of events, speakers and projects in classes will provide plenty of ‘food for thought’ for every student using the book in classes – and for their professors.”
Common Reading themes by month include:
September: Health and wellness
October: Cultural and historical perspectives on food and agriculture
November: Global food issues
January 2010: Food regulation and safety
February: The business, marketing and media of food
March: Field to table: The people who grow and produce our food
April: Sustainability and the environment
Up-to-date information on the times, dates and places of events, lectures, guest speakers and more is available at https://commonreading.wsu.edu.
