USU President Connects With Common Reading Experience

 Utah State University President Stan L. Albrecht received a copy of Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman’s Quest to Make a Difference, by Warren St. John, this year’s selection for the Connections program’s Common Literature Experience.
 
The Common Literature Experience encourages the entire campus community, the local community and USU’s newest students to read the book and attend an August convocation lecture that features the coach of the legendary refugee soccer team Luma Mufleh.
 
St. John, a New York Times reporter, brought Clarkston, Ga., to national attention in 2007 with a series of articles about the changes in the small Southern town brought about by an influx of refugees from all over the world. This book comes out of those articles. It gives more detail about the town and, most particularly, the three soccer teams composed of refugee boys (the Fugees) who were coached by Luma Mufleh, an American-educated Jordanian woman.
The book is a sports story, a sociological study, a tale of global and local politics and the story of a determined woman who became involved in the lives of her young charges. Keeping the boys in school and out of gangs, finding a place for them to practice and helping their families survive in a new world all became part of her daily life.
 
“Outcasts United can promote discussion about the intricacies of today’s global environment and the challenges of understanding diverse perspectives,” said Noelle Call, director of Retention and Student Success and the Connections program director. “Other themes in the book include immigration issues, refugee resettlement, local and global politics, cultural conflict and change, identity and intergenerational issues, biculturalism, the value of team sports and community building.”
 
Call presented a copy of the book to Albrecht and was joined by two students, Megan Allen and Bryan Mortensen. The students shared their impressions of the book and how this selection might affect the perspective and critical thinking of the entering class of 2010.
 
“The story was powerful, but simple,” said Allen, a sophomore majoring in journalism. “The book takes current global issues and makes them personal. It’s no doubt the book will have a huge impact on reader’s lives.”
 
Connections is a course specifically designed to ease a student’s transition to university life at USU. The course focuses on developing critical college study skills and understanding the academic environment. It also promotes awareness of the campus community. The Common Literature Experience is part of the larger Connections program. Each year a literature selection is used to encourage students and community to talk and share ideas and impressions.
 
“I am excited about this year’s selection,” Albrecht said. “I hope everyone in the community has an opportunity participate in the Common Literature Experience.”
 
The literature experience culminates for Connections students and community members with a convocation lecture by the coach, Luma Mufleh. She speaks Saturday, Aug. 28, in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center on campus. All are invited.
 
“Reading this book really opened my eyes to the segregation that still exists in America today,” said Mortensen, a sophomore majoring in international business and economics. “The bravery and determination of all of the characters in the book is outstanding and inspiring.”
 
For information on the literature experience or the Connections program, contact Call at (435) 797-1194 or visit the Web site.