CONTACT:
Karen Diller, Asst. Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, 360/546-9246, diller@vancouver.wsu.edu
Sheri Byrd, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9602, byrds@vancouver.wsu.edu
VANCOUVER, Wash. - This year's required freshman reading project at Washington State University Vancouver is the best seller "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time," by Greg Mortenson and Portland's David Oliver Relin.
Each year, a book is chosen at 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø to go with the general education theme, which is currently "Global change in a local context." This year's freshmen have already received their complementary copies of the book. They are expected to show up for their first General Education class Aug. 25 ready to answer several discussion questions about the book, such as: In what ways has Three Cups of Tea challenged your perspectives of Islam or the Muslim world? Why does Mortenson focus on or emphasize providing education to girls?
In a recent editorial July 13, New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristoff said of this book, "Mr. Mortenson has become a legend in the region, his picture sometimes dangling like a talisman from rearview mirrors, and his work has struck a chord in America as well." (Full op-ed )
"This book was chosen because it focuses on the difference that ordinary people can make in their communities and in the lives of people all over the world," said Karen Diller, 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs. "It is inspirational, very readable, and provides a perspective on ordinary people living in Pakistan that is not widely seen in the United States."
Numerous events relating to the book are in the works for the coming academic year, including a Southeast Asian Bazaar Sept. 10, and a visit and discussion with the book's writer, David Oliver Relin, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., free and open to the public.
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø "Three Cups of Tea" project information: . "Three Cups of Tea" Web site: .
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service. We offer 16 bachelor's degrees, nine master's degrees, one doctorate degree and more than 36 fields of study. Visit us on the Web at
Image: "Three Cups of Tea" cover, click for higher resolution image.