'The Other Wes Moore' author to give Oct. 14 presentation connected with university common book
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015
MANHATTAN — When author Wes Moore visits Kansas State University, he will give readers a closer look at the alternating histories of "The Other Wes Moore" — his best-selling book and the university's 2015 common book.
Moore will deliver a public lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in McCain Auditorium.
The event is free, but tickets are required. Kansas State University students, faculty and staff can get a ticket with a valid university ID at the McCain Auditorium box office, while members of the public can get tickets at the Manhattan Public Library, 629 Poyntz Ave. Overflow seating will be available in the K-State Student Union.
"I've met so many people who have been moved and inspired by 'The Other Wes Moore' that I know we made the right selection for our campus," said Tara Coleman, associate professor of K-State Libraries and chair of the K-State Book Network. "It gives us an avenue to discuss some challenging subjects, like race and choice. It also gives us the opportunity to celebrate the things we're doing right."
The K-State Book Network, or KSBN, selects the university's common book, which is required reading of all the university's first-year students. Moore's lecture will provide additional context for the alternating histories told in the book.
The book follows two kids named Wes Moore who grew up fatherless in similar Baltimore neighborhoods and had difficult childhoods. Both hung out on street corners with their crews; both ran into trouble with the police. However, one grew up to be a up to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated veteran, White House Fellow and business leader, while the other ended up a convicted murderer serving a life sentence.
"The alternating life stories that Wes Moore shares in 'The Other Wes Moore' remind us how chance, choice, and opportunity shape our lives and how our voices and decisions matter, both for ourselves and for others," said Karin Westman, associate professor and department head of English and publicity chair for the K-State Book Network.
The K-State Book Network will be counting down to Moore's Oct. 14 visit and will offer daily recaps of "The Other Wes Moore" on Twitter and Facebook.
"The Other Wes Moore" is the university's sixth annual selection for the K-State Book Network, which started in 2010.
"One of K-State First's cornerstone programs, KSBN is our way of creating a common campus learning experience," said Greg Eiselein, professor of English and director of K-State First. "We choose books that will engage a range of different readers and evoke a variety of ideas and perspectives. Our twin goals are to stimulate learning and to build community on campus around a shared reading experience. These goals are captured in our motto: 'A campus on the same page.'"
