Freshman Summer Reading Program: The College at Brockport

Summer 2011
Emergence: Labeled Autistic

Don't miss our Schedule of Summer Reading Events!

About the Freshman Summer Reading Program

Each freshman at the College participates in the Summer Reading Program. The purpose of this program is to help orient new students to the Brockport academic community by having a common reading experience with fellow classmates and faculty members. First-year students receive a copy of the book with support materials and additional information about the program in early July.

The summer reading project is a valued experience at The College at Brockport and continues to be part of our involvement in the American Democracy Project for Civic Engagement, a national, multi-campus initiative that seeks to foster informed civic engagement in the United States. The project seeks to create a greater intellectual understanding and commitment to participate in the civic life of the United States.

The program is made possible in part by the generous sponsorship of M&T Bank. Students will be asked to react to the book during the Welcome Week weekend and throughout the semester. They will also take part in discussions, projects and lectures debating noteworthy themes generated by the book.

About Emergence: Labeled Autistic

From her website:

Temple Grandin, Ph.D, one of the most accomplished and well-known adults with autism in the world, didn't talk until she was three and a half years old, communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping, and humming. In 1950, she was diagnosed with autism and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. She tells her story of "groping her way from the far side of darkness" in her book Emergence: Labeled Autistic, a book which stunned the world because, until its publication, most professionals and parents assumed that an autism diagnosis was virtually a death sentence to achievement or productivity in life. Dr. Grandin has become a prominent author and speaker on the subject of autism because "I have read enough to know that there are still many parents, and yes, professionals too, who believe that 'once autistic, always autistic.' This dictum has meant sad and sorry lives for many children diagnosed, as I was in early life, as autistic. To these people, it is incomprehensible that the characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled. However, I feel strongly that I am living proof that they can" (from Emergence: Labeled Autistic). Even though she was considered "weird" in her young school years, she eventually found a mentor, who recognized her interests and abilities. Dr. Grandin later developed her talents into a successful career as a livestock-handling equipment designer, one of very few in the world. She has now designed the facilities in which half the cattle are handled in the United States, consulting for firms such as Burger King, McDonald's, Swift, and others.

It was recently announced that Dr. Grandin has been included in the 2010 TIME 100, the magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

The Freshman Reading Committee selected Emergence based on criteria that included readability, relevance, multiple disciplinary application, author availability, and civic engagement. The committee welcomes suggestions from faculty and staff as we plan activities, lectures and discussion panels related to this selection. We have already scheduled a showing of the HBO movie, Temple Grandin, for September 9, 2011, as part of the Late Night with Elsworth series, and Temple Grandin will address first-year freshmen on September 28, 2011, at 7:30 pm. If you have ideas or suggestions about additional relevant presentations, please contact Marcy Esler at mesler@brockport.edu.