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Dear Student:

Welcome to the Johns Hopkins University Family. This is an exciting time for you and us. We are busy preparing for your arrival to campus on August 24th or 25th. You are about to embark on a wonderful journey not only at Johns Hopkins University but in the city of Baltimore. It is our hope you will make every effort to become an active member of both of these communities. For the past five years, a committee comprised of university staff has selected a book as recommended reading for the incoming freshman class. Sharing a common reading experience is among the first activities you will partake in with your fellow classmates; consider it your first homework assignment!

This year the committee has selected Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder. Kidder tells a story of survival, illustrating humanity's dual capacities for compassion and cruelty, through the journeys of Deogratias, a survivor of civil war and genocide. Through the help of strangers, Deo struggles to overcome his haunting past and to realize his dreams of aiding a population in desperate need of healing. Due to the turbulent subject matter, this book contains graphic descriptions of violence and there is also language in the book that may be considered offensive. It is the belief of the committee, however, that the book contains an overall positive message outstripping the story's more negative qualities. Enclosed you will find a copy of the book.

During Orientation we will have small group discussions on the book led by student leaders. Also, we strongly encourage you to participate in the essay contest over the summer. You may pick your essay from one of the following questions:

1. Do you think this book was an appropriate selection for a freshmen reading experience? If yes, discuss why and what you learned from Deo's story.
2. Deo reminisces early in the book that the village elders of Burundi would, in times of crisis, say, When too much is too much or too bad is too bad, we laugh as if it too good (p. 36). Do you feel this adage is an effective means of coping with difficult times? Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation/conflict and how you confronted it.

All essays must be 4-5 pages and creativity is encouraged. All essays will be reviewed for content development, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. There will be three winners.

 Submissions for the essay contest must be sent by Monday, August, 15, 2011 to the above address or you can e-mail your submission to dferrar6@jhu.edu. The winners will be announced during Orientation.

As you continue your summer, relax, prepare for your arrival and thoughtfully read the book. As with any book we do not expect students to agree with everything; rather, we simply want you to consider the issues and questions it raises and how it may apply to you as you enter the next phase of your life.

A very special thank you goes to the JHU Parents Fund which has generously provided the book to all freshmen and to the Hopkins Parents Council who has partnered with Orientation to make the Freshmen Book Read a huge success. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to meeting you during Orientation.

Sincerely,

Dorothy F. Sheppard
Associate Dean of Student Life