Eight students were awarded prizes in the 2020 Common Reader Essay Contest, in response to the book Dear America, by Jose Antonio Vargas.

Nine students were awarded prizes in the 2019 Common Reader Essay Contest, in response to the book Educated, by Tara Westover.

Tara Westover, the author of Educated, will visit the University of Delaware on Tuesday, November 12, at 5:30 pm in Mitchell Hall.

Open to All First Year Students Westover has titled her book Educated, and much of her education takes place in classrooms, lectures or other university environments — but not all. What other important moments of “education” were described in the book?  What friends,...

Eight students were awarded prizes in the 2018 Common Reader Essay Contest, in response to book Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. Here are the winners: First place: Valerie Light, an Honors Program student and Communications Interest major from Marietta, GA Second place: Liam...

Open to All First Year Students     On page 29 author Hope Jahren writes: “Science has taught me that everything is more complicated than we first assume, and that being able to derive happiness from discovery is a recipe for a beautiful life.” As you enter...

Lab Girl, a book written by scientist Hope Jahren, has been selected as the University of Delaware’s 2018 First Year Common Reader. The First Year Common Reader is read by UD’s first year students, providing  a unique opportunity for students to engage in a meaningful...

Novelist Colson Whitehead engages UD audience Begin your intellectual journey

Ten students were awarded prizes in the 2017 Common Reader Essay Contest, in response to book The Underground Railroad by Colsen Whitehead. Here are the winners: First place: Jillian Krol, a nursing major from Rockaway Park, NY Second place: Michael Szczechowski, an...