Union County Review

More than 2,000 Kean University students will explore themes of environmental justice, sustainability, and community in a fictitious African village this fall as part of the University’s fourth annual Common Read.

Kean freshmen and others will study the novel "How Beautiful We Were" by The New York Times bestselling author Imbolo Mbue, as the University begins the semester with the shared reading experience.

Inspired by the author’s childhood growing up in a town near an oil refinery in Cameroon, the novel tells the story of fictional villagers’ fight against an American oil company. Mbue will give a reading at Kean on Tuesday, November 19.

“The Common Read builds community for Kean students through reading and sharing viewpoints about important topics,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “This novel is the perfect fit for Kean because of the University’s work related to environmental justice and its role as the state’s urban research university.”

Copies of the book are provided free to all Kean freshmen.

The Common Read is sponsored by the Provost’s Office with support from General Education and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

The book selection for the Common Read is made each year through a campus-wide nomination process.

"Each year the selection committee of students, staff, and faculty review titles suggested from across the Kean community and then collectively decide on a book that will give our students a powerful introduction to engaging with a text at the college level," said Acting Associate Provost for Special Projects Jonathan Mercantini, Ph.D. "The Common Read offers a valuable opportunity for our students to share discussion and a collective experience."

Kean Common Read Coordinator Abriana Jetté, Ph.D., a lecturer in writing studies, said the project has become “a unifying thread” that weaves together the diverse campus community.

“Each year I’m moved by conversations that transcend classrooms and create connections among students, faculty and staff who might never have crossed paths otherwise,” Jetté said. “As our campus continues to engage with 'How Beautiful We Were,' we’ll see the interconnectedness of humanities and sciences.”

In addition to Mbue's visit on November 19 at 3:30 p.m. in Wilkins Theatre, other book-related activities are planned. A panel discussion titled "History of Protests" will be held Tuesday, October 15 during University Common Hour from 3:15-4:15 p.m., featuring faculty from English, sociology and political science departments alongside students sharing experiences from past decades to today.

The Common Read Awards given in May offer monetary essay prizes to students writing about "How Beautiful We Were." All Kean students are eligible.

Erin Lester, assistant director of DEI Office said that such initiatives increase awareness about societal issues while empowering students to advocate for significant causes.

She stated that this initiative has “without a doubt” helped build a more connected Kean community.

“We are so proud to support this anchor initiative especially with history involving selections like 'The Poet X' (2021), 'All Boys Aren't Blue' (2022) & 'The Future is Disabled' (2023) encouraging seeing world through lens diverse authors promoting equity inclusivity social justice,” she added.

Kean junior Ugochi Adibemma from Union majoring public health & multicultural affairs manager DEI office whose family hails Nigeria participated selection process mentioned how relevant overlap between environmental justice public health her major was highlighted Mbue's work reflecting corporate exploitation impacts communities health well-being perspectives looking forward discussing peers different majors gaining learning cultural diversity perspectives overall benefit educationally socially integrated manner contributing better understanding collective growth

Freshmen can pick up free copies at Multicultural Center Townsend Room112 between10:30 am -3 pm accommodations available emailing abjette@kean.edu or elester@kean.edu required ID necessary collect books