The incoming School of Engineering and Applied Science first-year students and UVA Engineering faculty come together in small groups at the start of every year for the Common Reading Experience (CRE) to enjoy a lively discussion about a book selected by the CRE committee. Through the CRE, you will meet your fellow first-year students and will share professional and personal views and experiences, and discuss engineering careers and their connections and impacts to everyday life in the context of the selected reading. Please come prepared to discuss the book with other incoming students and an engineering faculty member on Monday, August 21, as part of your Wahoo Welcome activities. Details on your discussion time, location, and leader will be provided later this summer.
This year the CRE committee has selected “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren. We are sure you have been anticipating your Engineering classes, but have you thought about the research opportunities available to you at UVA? This book describes the excitement of research and the passion and curiosity professors have for creating new knowledge with their students. We hope this book opens you to new ideas for your future accomplishments both at UVA and beyond.
“Lab Girl” was selected as a New York Times Notable Book for 2016.