The Common Read program is a program hundreds of colleges and universities use with their incoming new students every fall — the program aims to introduce students to college-style discussions around important/relevant topics. In the past, this program has only been offered to incoming first-year students. This year, we are expanding this opportunity and inviting you to join us in conversation through the All-Community Read.

1. Purchase the book – support local bookstores near you
2. Sign up for a virtual book club discussion (or multiple!)

Join the Director of the Lutheran Center, Deanna Thompson ‘89 P21, for an introduction to the book and an evening of discussion on Zoom.

• July 28, 5-6 p.m.
• July 29, 10-11 a.m.

Join Oles near you for a virtual book discussion on Zoom

• Midwest, hosted by Katie Maxwell ’17 and Megan Grimes ’19 | Saturday, August 1, 2 pm Central Time
• East Coast, hosted by Kelsey Henquinet ’16 | Monday, August 3, 7 pm Eastern Time
• Mountain Time, hosted by Robin Woolums P’10, ’13, ’17 and Mitch Rennie ’14 |  Saturday, August 1, 7 p.m. Mountain Time
• West Coast, hosted by Corina Rahmig ’02 | Wednesday, August 5 7-8 p.m. Pacific Time

Create your own book club opportunity and share your photos with us!

Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation by Eboo Patel.
Eboo Patel is the founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC). The book is a coming-of-age story of a Muslim immigrant that addresses racism, bullying, immigration, about Patel’s growing up a racial/ethnic/religious minority in a primarily white midwestern suburb, becoming radicalized in college around issues of race and class, negotiating romantic relationships across racial and religious difference, and envisioning and working for a world where young people are mentored into compassion, service, and activism. Reading and discussing Patel’s book we hope will help advance St. Olaf’s vision of equity and inclusion, particularly our commitment to “uplift and engage in mutual education about our diversity—such as race, religion and faith tradition, background and circumstance.”