by Anndria Flores (B.A. ’12)
This year the English and Communications Studies department decided to take an alternate approach to the annual Community Reading Experience (CRE), spearheaded by Melissa Scully, Visiting Lecturer of English and Communication Studies and Kathleen Maloney, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor of English and Communication Studies.
Traditionally for the CRE, faculty select a book by a local author, use the book in their classes throughout the semester and invite the author and the community to a reading and discussion of the book.
“For the fourth CRE, the English and Communications Studies Department chose to work with a theme instead of an author,” Scully said.
The theme centered around World War I, in honor of its centennial commemoration. Faculty in many departments used literature that focused on World War I in the classroom and then a panel discussion was held during the Fourth Annual Community Reading Experience on October 29, 2014.
The guest panelists were Frank Kersnowski, Ph.D., Jean M. Cannon, Ph.D. and Major General Alfred Valenzuela (U.S. Army, Retired). Attendees had the opportunity to participate in group discussions about WWI literature with the panelists and St. Mary’s professors.
The alternate approach to the annual CRE was a success, drawing more than 200 attendees.
If you like, you can view photos from this year’s Fourth Annual Community Reading Experience.
