PULLMAN – Greg Mortenson, author of this year’s Common Reading book, “Stones to Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” will speak at WSU on Wednesday, Jan. 26, as presenter of the fourth annual Common Reading Invited Lecture.
Stones to Schools is Mortenson’s new sequel to his New York Times bestseller from 2006, “Three Cups of Tea.”
The topic of his presentation, set for 7:30 p.m. in Beasley Coliseum, is “Promoting Peace Through Education.”
Tickets for nonstudents
WSU students may attend the lecture at no charge by showing their student IDs at the door, however, all others (including faculty and staff) will need a ticket. Tickets for the event go on sale Monday, Nov. 29, and can be purchased in person at the Beasley Coliseum ticket office, or through TicketsWest outlets online or by phone.
Tickets purchased in advance at the Beasley ticket office will cost $5 each for non-WSU students and children, and $10 each for all others. Tickets purchased at the door on the evening of the lecture will have a $3 surcharge.
3,000 freshman
“Mr. Mortenson’s book, ‘Stones into Schools,’ is being used by more than 3,000 freshmen and other students in more than 40 classes this fall and in more in spring,” says Karen Weathermon, co-director of the Common Reading Program, part of the University College at WSU.
“The campus is eager to hear firsthand from this humanitarian who, with his nonprofit organization, promotes and supports community-based education and has successfully partnered with tribal leaders in remote locations of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan to build 131 schools, which serve mainly girls,” says Susan Poch, co-director of the Common Reading Program. Mortenson’s efforts have captured headlines since 2006 when his first book, “Three Cups of Tea,” was published.
Students also are learning about topics raised in the book at the year-long Common Reading Tuesdays special presentations by faculty and guests from disciplines across the campus and region. During fall semester these experts covered topics such as the geology of the Himalayan region, the political history of Afghanistan, higher education there, environmental and cultural heritage considerations in rebuilding its cities, the U.S. military efforts in that country, and personal descriptions of life as Muslims. The lecture series will continue through spring semester.
More ticket information
Tickets may be purchased through Beasley Coliseum ticket office, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday, or online at its website.
To buy tickets online via TicketsWest outlets, visit ticketswest.rdln.com.
To discuss arrangements for school groups of 10-30, contact Jeannie Holt at 509-335-8044 or by email at jmholt@wsu.edu.
For general information about the Common Reading Program, its numerous events, and the author’s visit, go to its website at http://CommonReading.wsu.edu.