Image used with permission from publisher

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 First-Year Reading Essay Contest  

We are pleased to announce the winners in both categories of the First-year Essay Contest. This year, students were invited to submit in two categories:  Scholarly Analytical and Personal Reflection. The strong submissions in each category evidence students' insightful engagement with the first-year book, Elizabeth Kolbert’s Field Notes from a Catastrophe:  Man, Nature, and Climate Change. 

Michael Zarling’s essay "Indebted to Change” is the winner in the Scholarly Analytical Essay category.

Nicole Thelen’s essay "Climate Change in Our First National Park" is the winner in the Personal Reflection Essay category.

The purpose is to provide new students a common connection through a thought-provoking book.  Every year, a committee of faculty at The University of Montana select a book from nominations submitted by the entire campus community. The program is not mandatory but it is highly encouraged to help prepare students for their academic life on campus. 

Some classes may include it as a textbook and others may simply refer to it, but students will always be told when they receive the syllabus and will have ample time for any mandatory reading.  There is also a wonderful writing contest with a cash prize for students’ essays about the book.  This year, the author of the book will come to campus to present a free lecture about the book and conduct an exclusive forum for students to ask questions.  The book is available online from the bookstore or when students arrive on campus. 

We believe that books forge powerful bonds and we are excited to begin the discussions this year!

As part of the events and activities surrounding the First-Year Experience book selection we invite first-year students to submit 750-1250 word essays in one or both of the following two categories:

(1) the scholarly/analytical essay and

(2) the personal reflection essay

A cash prize of $250 will be awarded to the writer of the best, most compelling essay in each category, and the essays themselves (with the authors’ permission) will be posted to the First-Year Experience website. Students are limited to one entry in each category.

Deadline: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011

In effort to partner for student success the Day of Dialogue, The President's Lecture Series and the First-Year Reading Experience collaborated to bring Elizabeth Kolbert as this year’s First-Year Reading Experience author. 

All students are encourage to attend related events and participate in discussion.

Photo Credit: John Kleiner

Elizabeth Kolbert will be visiting Missoula in October to speak about her book!
 

Come listen to Elizabeth Kolbert during her visit to UM!