Utah State University 2015 Common Literature Experience Announced

Now in its 13th year, the Utah State University Common Literature Experience offers the opportunity for campus and community members to join incoming students in reading a selected book each year and then cap the experience by attending a lecture.

The 2015 selection is The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko, and the literature convocation is Saturday, Aug. 29, at 9:30 a.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Each year, Utah State University sponsors a Common Literature Experience to bring students, faculty, staff and Cache Valley community members together in reading a common book. Approximately 2,500 new students taking the University Connections course read the book during the summer and complete a reflective assignment prior to the beginning of the class. They also attend the literature convocation, held the Saturday before university classes begin.

This year’s literature committee, composed of students, faculty, staff and members of the community, reviewed many excellent nominations and selected The Emerald Mile, a gripping account of the fastest boat ride ever to take place down the Colorado River.

Called remarkable and informative, the book details the harrowing events of the winter of 1983 when a small three-man dory was propelled, at suicidal speeds, down the river by an unusually massive amount of headwater runoff which nearly ruptured the Glen Canyon Dam.

In line with USU’s celebration of the Year of Water, the title highlights engaging issues that explore themes of conservation, culture, politics, Western heritage and heroism.

Author Kevin Fedarko will speak at the free convocation Saturday, Aug. 29, at 9:30 a.m. at USU’s Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The convocation is open to the public and will be broadcast on USU’s Aggiecast system.

The Emerald Mile is available at the USU Campus Store in the Taggart Student Center.

For more information about the Common Literature Experience, contact Lisa Hancock, 435-797-1125.

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Contact: Lisa Hancock, 435-797-1125, lisa.hancock@usu.edu