Has your freshman student attended orientation this summer? If so, your student also received the book Wild Ones by Jon Mooallem. But why?
In 2013, George Mason University initiated a common read program titled Mason Reads. This program provides a book for each student at orientation and encourages engagement with faculty and peers throughout the semester to build a stronger campus community. Additionally, the book’s author is invited to campus each year to speak and allows the students to share a “common” experience around the themes of the book.
Wild Ones takes a humorous and thoughtful look at sustainability and conservation. Students will engage in programming around the text and its themes at The Preamble, Welcome2Mason, and throughout the fall semester. Mooallem will also be speaking as part of Fall for the Book on September 29 at 4:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts. All students and families are invited to attend.
Additionally, students will have the opportunity to interact with this text in a variety of courses. Faculty in the English department, Communication department, Green Leaf science courses, Honors College, New Century College, University 100, and Students as Scholars program will be incorporating it into the curriculum in various ways.
If you have any questions, visit the Mason Reads website at masonreads.gmu.edu or contact Emilie Dubert at edubert@gmu.edu.
Emilie Dubert
Mason Reads Program Co-Chair