Keeping Up with the First-Years: Read Refuge by October 11

This year, all first-year students were sent a copy of Refuge, by Terry Tempest Williams, before classes began, and first-years discussed the book with each other, faculty, and administrators during orientation. In preparation for four community dialogues—one of which will be led by Williams herself—focusing on Refuge, the rest of the MHC community is encouraged to read the book by the date of the first discussion, October 11. This initial dialogue will focus on writing and will be led by North Cairn, MHC lecturer in English, and Leah Glasser, lecturer in English and dean of first-year studies. On October 18, science and environmental issues relating to the book will be discussed. This panel discussion will be led by Aaron Ellison, Fisher Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, and Susan Smith, Norma Wait Harris and Emma Gale Harris Foundation Professor of Biological Sciences. Terry Tempest Williams leads an October 24 dialogue, and the final discussion will be held on October 30. This last event will focus on health issues in relation to Refuge and will be led by Eleanor Graham Claus ’55, chair of MHC’s board of trustees; Judith Kurland ’67, MHC trustee fellow; and Katherine Pfister, psychiatric social worker at the Pattie J. Groves Health Center. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate in any or all of these dialogues.