Common Reading Events
The Common Reading Program and all events are made possible through the support of the Shepherd University Foundation.
This year’s Common Reading Program is part of the Year of Civility, a collaboration between Shepherd University and the Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications. The Year of Civility focuses on civil discussion and action, bringing together diverse ideas, and addressing complex issues. For a full list of Year of Civility events and programs, please visit the Year of Civility web page.
September
Thursday, September 5: The Stubblefield Institute’s Series: Practitioners in the Classroom | Deciding to Run for Political Office with Troy Miller, Candidate for WV House of Delegates, District 98 | 11:00 am-12:15 am | White Hall 303 | Free for Shepherd staff and students.
Tuesday, September 10: The Stubblefield Institute’s Series: Practitioners in the Classroom | Traditional and Digital Political Coverage with Jessica Estepa, Campaign Edition CNN Politics | 11:00 am-12:15 am | White Hall 303 | Free for Shepherd staff and students.
Wednesday, September 11: Lifelong Learning Brown Bag Lecture: Chinese at Work on the Transcontinental Railroad with Dr. David Gordon | Noon-1:30 pm | Robert C. Byrd Center CHE Multipurpose Room | Free for Shepherd staff and students, RSVP on RamPulse
Wednesday, September 18: On Sept. 18, at 7pm the Byrd Center will host the 20th annual Tom Moses Memorial Lecture on the Constitution. Our speaker, Glenn Fine, is the former Inspector General of the Department of Justice.
Tuesday, September 24 | President’s Lecture Series: Science Fiction or Fact? Artificial Intelligence Risk and What to Do About It with Harriet Pearson, Founder & CEO, Axia Advisory LLC | 6:30 pm | Robert C. Byrd Center CHE Auditorium
Monday, September 30: Rams Rally for Respect & March to End Violence | 4:00 meet in front of the Student Center to process to Potomac Place Lawn for speakers
October
Tuesday, October 1: The Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education and the Stubblefield Institute will host a debate between Patricia Rucker and John Doyle, candidates for WV Senate. More details to follow.
Tuesday, October 8: Freedom was in Sight: A Graphic History of Reconstruction Author Talk and Book Signing with Kate Masur | 7:00 pm | Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education | Tickets are free; space is limited. Visit fourseasonsbooks.com/events.
Wednesday, October 16: Lifelong Learning Brown Bag Lecture: Early America’s Fight to End Slavery with author and economist Nancy Spannaus | Noon-1:30 pm | Robert C. Byrd Center CHE Multipurpose Room | Free for Shepherd staff and students, RSVP on RamPulse
Monday, October 28 | President’s Lecture Series: What Does Political Rhetoric Owe Democracy? with Peter Loge, Director of the Project on Ethics in Political Communication at George Washington University | 6:30 PM | Robert C. Byrd Center CHE Auditorium
November
Wednesday, November 13: “Dear Representative: Writing Letters that Make a Difference,” hosted by the English Program’s Writing Project Site. Time/location: TBA.
Thursday, November 14: The Stubblefield Institute’s Series: Practitioners in the Classroom | Governing Responsibility Making Local Decisions with Cory Roman, Former Councilman City of Martinsburg | 11:00 am-12:15 am | White Hall 303 | Free for Shepherd staff and students.
Monday, November 18 | President’s Lecture Series: Where Do We Go From Here? with Scott Widmeyer, Founding Managing Partner / Chief Strategy Officer at FINN Partners | 6:30 PM | Robert C. Byrd Center CHE Auditorium
Tuesday, November 19: The Stubblefield Institute’s Series: Practitioners in the Classroom | Ethics and the Impact of A.I. with Peter Loge, Founding Director, Project on Ethics in Political Communication | 11:00 am-12:15 pm | White Hall 303 | Free for Shepherd staff and students.
Monday, November 25 | Lifelong Learning Brown Bag Lecture: Did Voters Save Our Democracy? With Drayl Glenney and Mike Pieper | Noon-1:30 pm | Zoom Only | Free for Shepherd staff and students, RSVP on RamPulse
December
Tuesday, December 3| The Stubblefield Institute’s Series: Practitioners in the Classroom | Working on the Hill: Lobbying for Critical Issues with Mike Pieper| 11:00 am-12:15 am | White Hall 303 | Free for Shepherd staff and students.
February
Thursday, February 20 | Book and Panel Discussion: Democracy Awakening in the Classroom and Beyond | 6:00 p.m. | Robert C. Byrd CHE Auditorium | Open to Shepherd staff, students, and community members.
