About the Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of Auburn Connects?

Selecting a common book for all Auburn students to read promotes a shared academic experience. Students, particularly in the first year, are able to form bonds during the discussions with other students and faculty members. The common intellectual experience can unify the class and help create a support system for the students to reach their full academic potential.

What are the criteria for the book selection?

The selection committee established six goals the chosen book must fulfill:

1. Promote intellectual community on campus
2. Help students gain a global perspective or otherwise take them outside themselves to challenge them to see the world from new perspectives
3. Promote a culture of service
4. Emphasize individual empowerment, responsibility, and the need for hard work
5. Help set the stage for the kind of intellectual engagement we hope students will continue throughout their Auburn careers.
6. Be able to be linked to several types of programming on campus during the academic year

Who selected this book?

Auburn's Provost asked Academic Associate Deans to nominate one faculty member from their college the first year of the program. Additionally, the Student Government Association was asked to name a student representative to the committee, and representatives were asked to join from Communications and Marketing, Student Affairs, and Student Services.  The next year, additional members were added to represent various partnerships on campus. The committee members narrowed down nominations to three books for the Provost to make the final selection.

Committee Members 2011-2012
Azeem Ahmed, Student Member, Honors Congress
Jared Batte, Student Member
Scott Bishop, Jules Collins Smith Museum
Shakeer Abdullah, Multicultural Center
Nancy Bernard, Auburn University Career Center
Camille Barkley, Office of Communications and Marketing
Paula Bobrowski, College of Liberal Arts
Ainsley Carry, Division of Student Affairs
Jennifer Johnson, First Year Experience
Paul Harris, Honors College, Co-Chair
Paul Patterson, College of Agriculture
Ruthanna Payne, Learning Communities
Margaret Marshall, Office of University Writing
Nancy McDaniel, Educational Support Services, Co-Chair
Marcia Boosinger, Auburn Libraries
Margaret Craig-Schmidt, College of Human Sciences
Sarah Stephens, Student Member
Amy Macchio, Division of Student Affairs
Jay Lamar, Center for Arts and Humanities
Andrew Gillespie, International Programs
John Dagley, College of Education
Kathryn Flynn, Interdisciplinary Studies Program
Rebecca O'Neal Dagg, College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Kevin Roozen, English Composition Coordinator
Lawrence Wit, College of Mathematics and Sciences
Chris Wyckoff, Academic Support
Kirby Turnage, SGA President
Janice Robinson, Student Athletic Support Services

How will the book be used?

A large number of classes will integrate the book into course work and class discussions, including all Learning Community sections in UNIV courses. In addition, the university and its departments will sponsor public lectures, small group discussions, film series, and service-learning projects based on the themes and cultural references in the book.

Last Updated: Aug. 22, 2010