{"id":3210,"date":"2020-05-05T16:02:28","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T20:02:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-cu-sites.pantheonsite.io\/library\/?page_id=3210"},"modified":"2025-08-26T16:48:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T20:48:51","slug":"clarkson-common-conversations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.clarkson.edu\/library\/research-tools-collections\/guides\/clarkson-common-conversations\/","title":{"rendered":"Clarkson Common Conversations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Clarkson Common Book
<\/strong>At the launch of each academic year, the Clarkson community is invited to engage in \u201cCommon Conversations\u201d, shared explorations of a theme or topic, traditionally inspired by the reading of a common book recommended by the Clarkson Common Book Project Committee. Meaningful intellectual discussions, in educator-led groups during orientation weekend, are bolstered by a lecture given at Convocation, often by the book\u2019s author. This is made possible by the Van Sickle Endowed Lectureship, the purpose of which is \u201cto introduce distinguished speakers and highly acclaimed performers whose appearances may broaden the new student\u2019s educational horizons.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Van Sickle Endowed Lectureship<\/strong>
The Kenneth J. and Irla Van Sickle Endowed Lectureship was established in 1992 through generous bequests from the estates of Kenneth and Irla Van Sickle of Shortsville, N.Y. The Van Sickles shared interests in photography, gardening, nature and stamp collecting. During their long and active lives, the Van Sickles were dedicated to hard work, placing great value on education, particularly higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>

2021<\/h4><\/div>
\n

What\u2019s Your Story? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2021, the Common Book Committee was inspired to diversify. With a focus on the theme What\u2019s Your Story?<\/em>, the Committee selected a combination of articles and short videos that explore storytelling and narrative identity to serve as the basis for discussions about why stories matter, whose stories matter, who is telling stories, and the variety of ways stories are expressed. Students were invited to reflect on their own stories, asked to be open to others\u2019, and encouraged to hone their self-presentation storytelling skills, especially as they begin their journey at Clarkson. The Committee intended for these themes of storytelling and identity to continue to be presented during the academic year through a series of campus events which celebrate the diverse cultures and stories of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The associated convocation presentation, supported by the Van Sickle Endowed Lectureship, was a performance by African Soul International<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Reads<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n