Monday, September 14, 2009

Freshman students were welcomed to University of North Carolina Wilmington with more than just room keys this fall. Each student was given a complimentary copy of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah as part of the university's Synergy Common Reading program.

The book, a powerful account of war, violence, hope and redemption through a child soldier's eyes, will be used to stimulate conversation and develop global citizens on campus. In A Long Way Gone, Beah, now 28 years old, courageously tells his story of being a child soldier in Sierra Leone, Africa, and his struggle for rehabilitation.

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to read and participate in Synergy. In its third year, the program enables incoming freshman to relate to their peers and campus leaders through literature. This year's book will be used in freshman seminar, sociology, criminal justice and other courses.

Various events surrounding the book and its themes will be held throughout the semester. All events are free and open to the public:

Monday, Sept. 14
Chris Abani, award-winning author, former African boy solider and professor at the University of California Riverside: "Stories of Struggle, Stories of Hope: Art, Politics, and Human Rights"
Lecture: 7 - 8:30 p.m., Kenan Auditorium, Q & A session 2 - 3 p.m., Clock Tower Lounge

Tuesday, Sept. 22
Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars: acclaimed 2005 documentary tells the story of six musicians who escaped the horrific violence of Sierra Leone's civil war, landed in a West African refugee camp and found inspiration through music, forming a band that would go on to travel the world.
7 - 9 p.m., Lumina Theatre

Thursday, Oct. 1
"Prelude to A Long Way Gone: Africa's Geography, Culture and History": UNCW faculty will explore Africa from an interdisciplinary perspective and respond to questions.
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Dobo Hall, Room 103

Thursday, Nov. 5
World ACTion Festival: focus on human rights, social justice, volunteerism and activism.
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Burney Center & courtyard

For a complete list of events, visit www.uncw.edu/commonreading/events.htm. Related interviews are available.

Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu