The First Year Experience (FYE) office is pleased to announce that the first year reading experience scholarship recipients have been selected. The decision making process was a difficult one as there were 28 wonderful submissions. Seven recipients were honored at a special recognition luncheon on Monday, October 22nd in the MLK room in Ellison Campus Center.
Since 2009, the Salem State University community has selected a common book for all incoming first year students as part of the first year reading experience (FYRE) program. Incoming students receive a copy of a book at orientation, and read it over the course of the summer. Students have the opportunity to apply to the FYRE scholarship offered through the FYE office. Recipients can win one of several awards between $100 and $1,000 in scholarship funds. On the University’s Opening Day, students participate in a number of activities including small group book discussions with faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and upper-class students.
The scholarship has been offered for a couple years to first-year students who submit an essay addressing one of the two prompts that are selected. This year, students were asked to reflect on Angie Thomas’ message of finding your voice through the eyes of a young, 16 year old girl that witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend at the hands of a police officer. While other students shared their thoughts and views on “organized protest” as a means to express viewpoints and advocate for change particularly as it relates to social justice issues.
The seven scholarship recipients will receive their scholarship funds in the spring 2019 semester. These students have also been invited to share their work at the undergraduate student readers’ event on December 3rd.