We held our second community conversation yesterday afternoon.
2025–2026 College of Liberal Arts Common Book Announced
Mon, 07/28/2025 - 1:19pm
The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is proud to announce the 2025–2026 Common Book selection: A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines.
This is the first year we choose a common book in the college and we hope to continue doing so in future years with different texts. We plan to incorporate input from the community for the next book selection.
We chose Dr. Gaines text for its rich cultural, ethical, and historical relevance, its strong regional significance and the presence of the Gaines Center as a resource. We hope to use this shared reading experience to foster intellectual community in the college among students, faculty, and staff.
Throughout the academic year, the College will host a variety of events and activities, including:
- Discussion groups
- Community conversations
- Panel discussions
- Public lectures
We invite all members of the UL Lafayette community to join us in reading, reflecting, and engaging with this powerful and enduring work.
Faculty who are interested in incorporating the book into their courses are encouraged to explore teaching resources provided by NEA Big Read and Oprah’s Book Club. Copies of the book will be made available through the Dean’s Office and Dupré Library starting in Fall 2025.
Dr. David Squires (ENGL) will be assisting our office with this project. For more information or to get involved, please contact Dr. Squires, or Dean Kokobobo.