Selection Process
- Suggestions for nominations are taken year-round and can be submitted by anyone wishing to recommend a book by emailing author and title to hwilliam@shepherd.edu.
- Final selections will be determined by a select group of English faculty.
- Nominations are analyzed based on criteria of appeal, cost, length, and availability.
- In the spring, an open vote is held via the Common Reading website. The book with the highest number of votes at the end of the voting period is selected as the next Common Reading.
Current Selection Committee Members include:
Dr. Heidi Hanrahan, Dr. Brian Santana, Sadie Shorr-Parks, Dr. Valerie Stevens
Planning Process
- In April, once the winning book is announced, copies of the book are purchased and given out to faculty and staff who are considering using the book in any course or student-centered programming.
- Brainstorming will then begin for next year’s programming. The Common Reading Program team works together and works with campus and community partners to shape events and highlight the common reading throughout the year through a diverse offering of related activities.
- Ideas for events and collaborations can be emailed to hwilliam@shepherd.edu.
Thank you to Our Community Member Supporters and Partners: Kendra Adkins, Jim Bauman, Kathy Buchanan, Christine Dorsey, Jennifer Gerholdt, Susan Kern, Paul Kradel, Becky Phipps, Michelle Ricketts, Carolyn Rodis, Nancy Stewart, Theresa Trainor, Mary Watters, Austin Slater, Don Pathoff, Kendra Goldsborough, Sheila Vertino
Thank you to Our Community Partners: Speak Story Series, Shepherdstown Film Society, Four Seasons Bookstore