Annual Invited Lecture
One of WSU’s most popular events every academic year is the Common Reading Invited Lecture. Since 2007, it has provided the opportunity for the entire campus community, and the region beyond, to enjoy a memorable address on topics raised in the book. The lecture is delivered by the author or another illustrious expert. The event is open to the public.
While thousands attend the evening lecture, the guest speaker is many times also available to visit individual classes or lead a small conversation session while in Pullman. These special events allow students and professors to exchange information and ideas and ask questions on a one-to-one basis.
Speakers report that meeting individual students and getting first-hand input from them about the book is one of their favorite times. Following the evening lecture, there is often the chance to get personal copies of the common reading book signed. Many students even get permission to take a fan photo with the speaker.
Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson signed copies of the book and took photos with long lines of student fans following his December 2015 Common Reading Invited Lecture.
Common Reading Invited Lecture 2016-17
“… in reality, women are supposed to be shoulder to shoulder with men. Women have so much status that we have not been hearing, that they have not been hearing, and we needed to tell them that they need to know where their rights are and how to take them by themselves, because they can do it…”
READ STUDENT EMMA EPPERLY’S FIRST-PERSON STORY ON THE BROHI LECTURE IN ODYSSEY MAGAZINE
Pakistani Activist Khalida Brohi at WSU Pullman Sept. 27, 2016
Delivering the 10th annual Common Reading Invited Lecture will be Khalida Brohi, activist for women’s rights, social entrepreneur, global speaker, and founder of the Sughar Empowerment Society in Pakistan to help educate and empower women.
The lecture is set for 7:30 p.m., Tues., Sept. 27, in the CUB M.G. Carey Senior Ballroom in Pullman. The event is free and open to the public. Earlier that day she will visit students and faculty in classes and small discussion events.
WSU Tri-Cities Lecture Sept. 28, 2016
Brohi will travel to WSU Tri-Cities to deliver a lecture the next day, Wed., Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. in East 266. Students at that campus, as well as North Puget Sound/Everett, Spokane, and Global, are also using the Common Reading book, I Am Malala.
WSU Vancouver Lecture Oct. 27, 2016
WSU Vancouver is using the book Integration Nation: Immigrants, Refugees, and America at Its Best for its students’ common reading. Author Susan E. Eaton will visit that campus for a lecture 4:15-5:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 26 for a lecture in Dengerink Administration Building Room 110.