Every summer, incoming Seton Hill freshmen receive a complimentary copy of a novel, chosen by Seton Hill’s Summer Reading Committee on the caliber of its writing, relevance to contemporary issues and the interest of the community in its topic. The book is also provided to Seton Hill faculty, staff and upperclassmen who wish to take part in a group book discussion with the freshman class at the beginning of the fall semester. This year, the Seton Hill community read “Timbuktu,” the New York Times bestseller by Paul Auster, which tells the story of a homeless man from the perspective of his dog, Mr. Bones.

“The summer reading allows new students to join with upperclassmen, faculty and staff in an intellectual discussion while it emphasizes the importance of reading and critical thinking,” says vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty Dr. Mary Ann Gawelek. Seton Hill launched the Freshman Reading Project in 1998, she continues, as a “tangible, academic way to invite students into the educational process.”

This year’s Freshman Reading Discussion took place on September 7 at noon, following Opening Liturgy at 11 a.m.