Common Reading Selection Process

The selection process for the 2008 Common Reading was developed by the First-Year Experience Taskforce in November 2007. Fliers and e-mails were sent to all faculty, staff and students to solicit suggestions for a new Common Reading. Over 100 suggestions were received, all of which were analyzed based on criteria of appeal, cost, length and availability. The number of books was then narrowed to 22, and these books were read by members of the taskforce over Winter Break. In January, the taskforce, joined by student representative, Chase Dowling, discussed and reanalyzed the list, narrowing the number down to five final selections. During the months of February and March, all Shepherd University students, faculty and staff were encouraged to vote for their first choice via the Shepherd website.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi received the most votes, becoming the official Shepherd University Common Reading for the 2008-2009 academic year.