Reading as Inquiry is a University-wide initiative coordinated by the Department of Humanities and the Office of First Year Programs to help prepare you for college-level reading, inquiry and discussion. A new summer reading book is chosen each year by a committee of students, faculty, and staff members. All first-year students are expected to read this book before arriving at Michigan Tech.

During Orientation, you will meet with a member of the faculty or staff and your Orientation team to discuss the book as a group. Then, the author of the book or well-known scholar will speak about the story, its characters, and its themes. There will be additional activities during Orientation that will focus on the book too.

This reading will also help you make new friends. For example, when you contact your new roommate, you will be able to start a conversation by discussing the summer reading. A question like "what did you think of that book we had to read?" would be a great way to start a conversation.

The book choice for 2007 was They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The true story of three Lost Boys from Sudan by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng, and Benjamin Ajak.

More information will be sent to you in the coming weeks with all of the summer reading details.

Alternative format may be available to students who qualify for special accommodations. Please contact Michigan Tech's service for students with disabilities located in the Dean of Students office at 906-487-2212 or email Dr. Gloria Melton at gbmelton@mtu.edu

If you have questions, contact Patti Kirk, Assistant Director, COMPASS, 906.487.3558, pakirk@mtu.edu.

Check out the Reading as Inquiry website for more information.