The University of Dallas believes passionately in bettering our community through initiatives that have immediate and lasting results.
UD Reads is a new community reading initiative for the UD community, as well as community members in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. The novel chosen for the first UD Reads is the 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. This fascinating novel weaves together themes of history, child psychology, education, and science in a story about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Throughout the year, the university will host a series of lectures, art exhibits, panel discussions, and other activities in association with the program.
UD Reads will culminate with Anthony Doerr’s visit to campus as the 2019 Eugene McDermott lecturer. While on campus as the 2019 McDermott Lecturer, Mr. Doerr will host a creative writing symposium, a luncheon talk on his book Four Seasons in Rome that chronicles his time as a fellow of the American Academy in Rome, a public lecture on “creative failure” and the 2019 McDermott Lecture on All the Light We Cannot See. The lecture will be held March 5, 2019, at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
In addition to the University of Dallas community participation, UD is thrilled to partner with over 40 local public schools, Catholic schools, charter schools, and homeschool groups. More than 4,000 students across the Dallas / Ft. Worth area are reading the novel as part of the literature and social studies curriculums. These students will have the opportunity to attend the 2019 McDermott Lecture, as well as selected on-campus events.
The lesson plans in this guide have been designed by Erin Begle, Certified Teacher in the Irving Independent School District and Dr. Carmen Newstreet, Assistant Professor, Department of Education.
The University of Dallas looks forward to reading with you!
Cherie L. Hohertz
Dean, Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library
UD Reads Committee Chairs
Dr. Carmen Newstreet
Assistant Professor, Department of Education
Cherie Hohertz
Dean, Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library
Ryan Reedy
Assistant Provost
Debbie Hathaway
Acquisitions Librarian, Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library