by LAUREN BRIGMAN
Intern Lifestyles Reporter

In 1997 Appalachian State University implemented the Summer Reading Program as a way to welcome incoming freshmen into the community.

This year’s selection “Three Cups of Tea,” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin presents a timely insight of one man’s work to bring peace to a nation through means of education.

When selecting the summer reading book, between 23 and 24 members of the summer reading committee begin reading books in April for the upcoming year. The committee is comprised of three to four students and numerous faculty, staff and administrators.

Committee members read all the books on a short list and attend two meetings a month until a book is selected in October.
Emory V. Maiden, who is currently serving his fourth year as director of the summer reading program said the committee reflects the constituencies of the university. Characteristics such as relevancy, topicality and the fact that Mortenson “lead an engaged life” are main reasons that the book was selected, he said.

“Three Cups of Tea” demonstrates how education can be a means to overcome ignorance and prejudice and shows how differently the Pakistani value education compared to Americans. Mortenson “had forethought to ask people in Pakistan what they needed” rather than try to turn them into Americans, Maiden said.

Mortenson, a 2009 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, will speak at the Holmes Convocation Center at 10 a.m. Sept. 10. Following his convocation address, Mortenson will participate in a panel discussion at 2 p.m. in Farthing Auditorium and a book signing at Watauga County Public Library at 4 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m. he will speak in Farthing Auditorium as part of the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series.
While it is a requirement to incorporate the book into Appalachian’s first-year seminars, many professors go above and beyond and turn it into an “in-depth, integrated experience,” Maiden said.

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