MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

COMMON READ 2021 THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF

HENRIETTA LACKS

BY: REBECCA SKLOOT

“Skloot narrates the science lucidly, tracks the racial politics of medicine thoughtfully, and tells the Lacks family’s often painful history with grace ... Science writing is often just about “the facts.” Skloot’s book, her first, is far deeper, braver and more wonderful ... Made my hair stand on end.”

~Lisa Margonelli, Book Review Each year a book is chosen for all first-year students to read during the summer before their arrival on Messiah's campus. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to share in a common academic experience that will be complemented by in-class and residence hall discussion after arriving on campus. This year we are thrilled to announce that Rebecca Skloot's award winning book The Immortal Life of will be read by the incoming class of 2021. This book recovers the nearly- forgotten life of Henrietta Lacks whose cells have been some of the most important tools in modern medicine for over 70 years. Drawing on rigorous research and personal relationships with members of the Lacks family, Rebecca Skloot has written a book that touches on themes of faith, family, healthcare, racism, classism, immortality, reconciliation, and so much more.

HAPPENINGS: A COMMON READING CONVOCATION WILL BE As a first-year student, you are required to HELD IN SEPTEMBER WITH THE DATES TO BE read this book during the summer before arriving on campus in the fall. The great news DETERMINED IN AUGUST. ALL FIRST-YEAR is that all first-year students are STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND. automatically opted-in to the Campus Store's textbook subscription service, ALL FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR COURSES WILL Textbook Butler (soon to be called INCORPORATE SEVERAL CLASS PERIODS OF Slingshot), with rental as your default DISCUSSION DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASS. preference. That means that, if you do STUDENTS WILL ALSO COMPLETE A GRADED nothing, your book will be delivered straight ASSIGNMENT BASED ON THE TEXT. to your door in July and billed to your Messiah tuition account. How awesome is that?!

Other required materials for your fall classes will be delivered to your dorm (or, if you are a commuter, available for pick-up at the Campus Store) before your classes start.

Read more about our new program HERE or follow the Campus Store on Instagram at QUESTIONS TO @messiahcampusstore. As soon as you are registered for classes, you CONSIDER: will be able to log-in to your personal student How do you understand the portal with your Messiah SSO and adjust intersection of faith and science in your delivery and textbook preferences HERE. Happy reading! Skloot's narrative?

How does Skloot's position as a journalist impact her perspective on the various characters and events of the Dr. Kris Hansen-Kieffer, text? Vice Provost for Student Success How do you begin to consider the medical and social ethics of Henrietta's Dr. Kate Oswald Wilkins, experience? Assistant Dean of General Education