About Book Connection

Celebrating 10 years of Engaging New Students

The Book Connection began with one simple idea: A fundamental key to academic success is reading. In order to underscore the importance of reading, as well as to bring students and faculty together in the first weeks of the freshman year, NKU's Office of First-Year Programs introduced The Book Connection in 2000 for our freshman students. The Book Connection seeks to bring students together with a shared reading experience while focusing on issues addressed in a popular fiction or nonfiction book.

Historically, the books have afforded professors in first-year classes the opportunity to address issues pertaining to race, class, gender, and identity -- issues that are often difficult for freshmen to explore. Beginning this exploration is important for their success at NKU and beyond, since for most of our freshmen, NKU is the most diverse environment they have experienced. This year’s selection offers our students an opportunity to explore issues related to teamwork, overcoming obstacles, exploring coaching and teaching, athletics and Title IX.   

Surveys given to students and faculty indicate that the books are being read widely in our first-year classes, including: Writing, Orientation to College, Speech, and often in History and Sociology classes as well. In addition to integrating the Book Connection book in many first-year courses, the author of the book is invited to campus for a series of events, including: one or more large lectures (attended by 1,500+ students, staff, faculty and community members); a special reception with student winners of a Book Connection Essay and Visual Design Contest; small group discussions; and a book signing. These events give as many students as possible the opportunity to meet and hear the author in person. Doing so is frequently cited by freshman students as one of the highlights of their first year of college.