The recently launched its first Dean鈥檚 Undergraduate Book Club, creating a new space for students to connect with one another and college leadership through discussion beyond the traditional classroom.
The idea for the book club was inspired by , who envisioned an informal, engaging environment where students at all academic levels could come together to explore public health topics and build community, said , associate dean of studies. While the event was open to all students, most participants in the inaugural session were undergraduates, with a small number of graduate students also in attendance.
鈥淚t can be hard to connect in class and some traditional classes may not facilitate open forums for discussion,鈥� Oberne said. 鈥淗osting conversations like this creates a safe environment for students to share their passions, their concerns and their hopes for the future.鈥�
The first book selection, Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, centered on the work of physician-anthropologist Paul Farmer, whose career bridged medicine, anthropology and public health. Oberne said the interdisciplinary nature of the text allowed students to explore complex issues from multiple perspectives and encouraged dialogue across academic boundaries.
鈥淗is work can be viewed from so many lenses, which made the conversation flow seamlessly across disciplines and allowed us to break down pedagogical silos,鈥� she said.
Book club members read 鈥淢ountains Beyond Mountains鈥� by Tracy Kidder, a book about the life and work of Paul Farmer.
Oberne said she was struck by the level of preparation and enthusiasm students brought to the discussion. Participants arrived with notes and questions and remained deeply engaged throughout the session, which ultimately ran longer than scheduled.
鈥淭he discussion flowed organically and everyone was engaged the entire time,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was heartwarming to see students exchange contact information and talk about continuing these conversations in the future.鈥�
student Abeja Castro said the opportunity to engage directly with Vermund in a relaxed setting was a major draw.
鈥淒uring my interactions with the dean, he鈥檚 always struck me as a person with a huge wealth of knowledge,鈥� Castro said. 鈥淚 joined the book club hoping to expand my reading horizons and keep up with public health鈥搑elated topics.鈥�
Castro said the informal atmosphere made it easier to participate without the pressure of grades or formal evaluation.
鈥淚t was a more casual setting, so I felt comfortable putting myself out there and interacting with others,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was nice to hear the perspectives of my fellow students alongside the dean鈥檚 and I left feeling excited for the next one.鈥�
Looking ahead, Oberne said the college plans to continue the book club in future semesters and expand its reach by offering both in-person and virtual options to better serve nontraditional and distance-based students.
鈥淲e want to make sure all of our students have the opportunity to participate and feel connected,鈥� she said.