2008 Woodie Awards
RSSOrientation reading draws mixed reactions
By Elaine Hardenstine
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: News
Freshmen read the Dalai Lama's autobiography, "Freedom in Exile," as a part of the first-year orientation program this year.
The office of the first-year experience assigned the text for its summer literature program.
Assistant Dean of Students Lori McClaind said she hopes the book generates interest in the campus events associated with the Dalai Lama's July 2008 visit.
Eddie Ueucan, '11, said he is more interested in the Dalai Lama's lectures after reading the book.
"When you know he's coming here, you think, 'Wow,'" he said.
Several students said they were able to draw notable themes from the reading, but most also said they found the book difficult to understand and unrelated to their orientation experience.
This was the first time the office chose an autobiography for the summer reading book.
Margi Ashler, '11, said all the foreign names made the book difficult to follow.
The Dalai Lama translated his book into English.
"You could tell it wasn't his native language," Adrienne LaFleur, '11, said.
Russell Simpson, '11, said he would have liked the book more if it had focused on the Dalai Lama's accomplishments earlier in the text, instead of beginning with his childhood.
In "Freedom in Exile," the Dalai Lama tells readers about his mistakes as a child and his hobby of clucking with hens in their coop.
McClaind said the Dalai Lama's early years give more meaning to his later feats and add some humor to the text.
"It gives a human touch to who he is," McClaind said.
Students get to see a leader who is real and humble, McClaind said.
According to the summer reading program's objectives, the program strives to "help students in their transition to college life by making connections with others in their new community."
Some students said this book did not help them connect with their peers.
"There was no connection to us," Shiv Tilwa, '11, said.
The office of the first-year experience assigned the text for its summer literature program.
Assistant Dean of Students Lori McClaind said she hopes the book generates interest in the campus events associated with the Dalai Lama's July 2008 visit.
Eddie Ueucan, '11, said he is more interested in the Dalai Lama's lectures after reading the book.
"When you know he's coming here, you think, 'Wow,'" he said.
Several students said they were able to draw notable themes from the reading, but most also said they found the book difficult to understand and unrelated to their orientation experience.
This was the first time the office chose an autobiography for the summer reading book.
Margi Ashler, '11, said all the foreign names made the book difficult to follow.
The Dalai Lama translated his book into English.
"You could tell it wasn't his native language," Adrienne LaFleur, '11, said.
Russell Simpson, '11, said he would have liked the book more if it had focused on the Dalai Lama's accomplishments earlier in the text, instead of beginning with his childhood.
In "Freedom in Exile," the Dalai Lama tells readers about his mistakes as a child and his hobby of clucking with hens in their coop.
McClaind said the Dalai Lama's early years give more meaning to his later feats and add some humor to the text.
"It gives a human touch to who he is," McClaind said.
Students get to see a leader who is real and humble, McClaind said.
According to the summer reading program's objectives, the program strives to "help students in their transition to college life by making connections with others in their new community."
Some students said this book did not help them connect with their peers.
"There was no connection to us," Shiv Tilwa, '11, said.
