K-State First Book

The first book program is designed to provide a common experience to help first-year students grow academically and socially, and share something with all other first year students along with our broader campus community each year.

Nyle DiMarco is central on the cover of his book, Deaf Utopia. He smiles at the camera

2024 Book: Deaf Utopia - Nyle DiMarco

"'Deaf Utopia' is more than a memoir, it is a cultural anthem — a proud and defiant song of Deaf culture and a love letter to American Sign Language, Nyle's primary language. Through his stories and those of his Deaf brothers, parents, and grandparents, Nyle opens many windows into the Deaf experience.

With a passion for language, literacy and advocacy within the deaf community and beyond, Nyle shares his barrier-breaking story as a deaf man who has risen above stereotypes to take the world by storm. Believing that his deafness is “an asset rather than a limitation,” he builds a bridge between the deaf and hearing by shining a light on not only the struggles, but also the triumphs of the deaf culture. Above all, Nyle shows audiences that with a sense of community, commitment to your goals, and belief in yourself, you can accomplish anything."

Apply for the K-State First Book Awards

K-State First Book Awards celebrate the common experiences shared at K-State with the common book. The award winners all work hard to foster student engagement, enhance students' educational experience, expand the consideration of new ideas, values and concepts in the classroom and in the university community, and use creative applications of the themes from the common book of the year.

The K-State First Book program offers several awards, including the Bill Miller and Debbie Leckron Miller K-State First Book Scholarships, a Student Group Award, and a Faculty/Staff Award.

Apply Here!

Watch Nyle DiMarco's Author Talk

On October 16th, Nyle DiMarco visited K-State's campus to share his story with our students and community. If you missed the event, you still have the opportunity to see it online. K-State eid and password are required to view the lecture.

Watch Nyle DiMarco's Lecture Here