The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer was selected as the inaugural book in the new UTC First Year Reading Experience (FYRE) program.
Dr. Joe Wilferth, FYRE committee member, UC Foundation Associate Professor and Associate Head of the English Department explains more about this program, open to the entire campus.
“Aptly named, the First Year Reading Experience (FYRE) program is designed to spark a life-long interest in active reading and promote community among incoming first-year students, staff, and faculty at UTC. The program is built around the concept of a common reading experience that will foster conversations across disciplinary boundaries and aid first-year students in becoming part of the larger university community.
“Each year, a book will be selected and assigned to the incoming freshman class for reading over the summer months. The book is selected during the previous year by a committee of students, faculty and staff, who nominate various books then narrow the field until a consensus is reached. The nominated books are evaluated according to readability, relevance, cost, length, and audience appeal, among other things.
“Once a book is selected for the school year, it is the incoming students’ responsibility to actively read and come prepared to participate in multi-disciplinary discussions. However, the First Year Reading Experience is not restricted to first year students; all students, staff, and faculty who wish to participate in programs or activities related to the FYRE program are invited to do so. Campus-wide participation, discussions, and interdisciplinary connections are among the goals of the FYRE program.
“The FYRE program’s inaugural book for the 2011-2012 school year will be The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. The story, which chronicles the life of Kamkwamba as he attempts to provide electricity for himself and his family, is a multi-dimensional story that is sure to facilitate intellectual discourse on literary, scientific, and cultural topics. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind will be available for purchase, at a discounted rate, at the University Bookstore and at most retail booksellers.
“Classroom projects, campus events and community discussions will accompany the FYRE projects, including a visit by William Kamkwamba to campus August 30-31st. For additional information or updates students can visit the UTC homepage and search “FYRE.” Students, staff, and faculty may also get instant updates of FYRE programs or activities by joining the FYRE group on Facebook or by following UTCfyre on twitter.”
For more information about the FYRE program, click here.
