Common Reading Events
The Common Reading Program and all events are made possible through the support of the Shepherd University Foundation. Special thanks to: The Shepherd University Foundation, The President’s Club, and The Shepherd University Alumni Association.
Shepherd University’s Common Reading Program is a proud recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) through Arts Midwest to support the University’s the program during the 2026-27 academic year.
Please check back for updates for more Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 events.
September
Thursday, September 10, 2026: Breakfast on the Porch and Campus Kickoff Celebration | 9:30 a.m. | Scarborough Library, Shepherd University | Free and open to the public
Tuesday, September 15. 2026: Fall Keynote and Performance with Nathan Richardson, published author, performance poet and Frederick Douglass Historian | 7:00 p.m. | Frank Arts Center Auditorium, Shepherd University | Free and open to the public
Honoring America250 Lifelong Learning Event: Lectures and Libations: Thursday, September 17, 2026 |250 Years of Independence: An Exploration of the History, Memory, and Meaning led by Dr. Ben Bankhurst and guests | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Alma Bea, Shepherdstown, WV | Free to the public, no registration requiredSaturday, September 19, 2026: Community Kickoff in Partnership with Shepherdstown Public Library | Time TBA | Shepherdstown Public Library, 145 Higbee Ln, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 | Free and open to the public
Honoring America250 Event: Lifelong Learning Course (Starting in September): September 16, 23, 30 and October 7, 14, 21, 2026 | Stories of America as Told by Two Medical Doctors with Instructor Richard Casuccio | CHE Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid) | 9:00 am – 10:30 am | Cost: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
October
Saturday, October 17, 2026: Frederick Douglass and the Freedom of Writing: A Children’s Creative Writing Workshop and Book Event | 9:30 a.m.| Little House Lawn, Shepherd University | Free and open to the public
Honoring America250 Event: Lifelong Learning Spark Lecture: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | “Benedict Arnold: A Tragic Hero” with Speaker Blane Ampthor | Robert C. Byrd Center Auditorium (and Zoom) | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Cost: $15; free for fall subscribers and SU students and employees