The Common Reading Committee and the Office of Student Success Programs is pleased to announce the selection of this year’s 91²Ö¿â Common Reading book Who Owns the Ice House? by Clifton Taulbert and Gary Schoeniger.
Who Owns the Ice House? is a true story that takes place in the Mississippi Delta at the height of legal segregation. This was a time when opportunities for African-Americans were limited by cultural and legal constraints that were beyond their control. For most, it was a time and place where opportunities seemed out of reach. Yet, an ordinary man named Uncle Cleve stood out as someone who defied convention and triumphed over adversity as an entrepreneur.
Who Owns the Ice House? highlights eight life-lessons Uncle Cleve passed along to his young nephew, Clifton Taulbert. Drawing on the wisdom he gained from his Uncle Cleve, the book chronicles author Taulbert’s journey to be as what Time magazine referred to as “one of our nation’s most outstanding entrepreneurs.†While Taulbert describes the life-changing influence of his Uncle Cleve, Schoeniger captures the entrepreneurial life lessons that can empower anyone to succeed.
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The Common Reading Program is designed to welcome and connect incoming students to the 91²Ö¿â academic community. The goal for reading the book is to provide common ground for new students to share with their peers, and offer inspiration to commence their college career with a strong academic beginning. The objectives of the program are:
- To help students get acclimated to the academic life of the university
- To provide students with an understanding of the university values, principles and standards
- To build and maintain relationships that foster success with peers, faculty, staff, administrators and community members
All new students will discuss the book with faculty, staff and alumni on Aug. 23 during Destination 91²Ö¿â: Welcome Weekend. The program as a whole will build a supportive and encouraging atmosphere that will ease the transition to university life. The book will be available for purchase at the University Bookstore.