September 28, 2006
‘Common Book’ subject here Nov. 13
Students can register now to hear Paul Farmer, the subject of Tracy Kidder’s book, Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World,who will discuss his work in global health at 7 p.m. Nov. 13. Faculty, staff and others can register beginning Oct. 15 if there is space. Farmer is a renowned infectious-disease specialist, anthropologist, the recipient of a MacArthur “genius” grant, and co-founder of Partners in Health, a nonprofit organization bringing healthcare to impoverished parts of the world. The event is free, but registration is required.
Farmer’s visit is part of the inaugural year of the UW Common Book, a project that aims to engage all entering UW students in a common intellectual experience — reading Mountains Beyond Mountains. Students received the book at summer orientation with the expectation that they would read it prior to the start of fall classes.
“This book incorporates a wonderful message to our newest students,” says Ed Taylor, dean and vice provost of the Office of Undergraduate Education, the department initiating and sponsoring the program. “Right from the start, students are building an intellectual community around the idea of turning their education into action to make the world a better place.”
After the event, attendees will have an opportunity to immediately become engaged in the issues discussed. A Community Engagement Fair will feature a number of local nonprofits providing information about issues and volunteering. The Community Engagement Fair is coordinated by the Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center, which is a unit within the Office of Undergraduate Education.
Farmer will be speaking in 130 Kane, and the lecture will be simulcast to all other Kane classrooms. It will also be simulcast to Bothell. To register, visit www.uwcommonbook.org and follow the links.
