Two Decades of Literary Unity: OCTC's Common Reading Program Marks Milestone
Owensboro, KY (11/08/2024) — Kentucky's Poet Laureate Silas House returned triumphantly to Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) this fall, bringing his acclaimed novel A Parchment of Leaves full circle as it became the 40th selection in the college's Common Reading program. The choice was particularly meaningful as OCTC celebrated the program's 20th anniversary - two decades of building community through shared reading experiences.
House's third visit to OCTC culminated in a day of events that showcased the program's impact on campus and community life. Students, faculty, and community members gathered at the prestigious Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum for an intimate author presentation, book reading, and signing session.
The celebration took an emotional turn when program Co-Chairs Kaye Brown and Tonya Northenor received surprise honors for their dedication. Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson presented them with the Mayor's Award of Distinction, while the college community gifted each with a custom-made quilt featuring the covers of all 40 books selected throughout the program's history. Adding to the significance of the moment, both Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams offered video tributes celebrating their leadership.
Since its inception, the Common Reading program has woven together diverse perspectives through carefully chosen literature, creating a shared intellectual experience that extends beyond classroom walls. House's A Parchment of Leaves, with its rich exploration of Appalachian culture and universal themes, exemplifies the program's commitment to selecting works that both challenge and unite readers.
As OCTC looks toward the next chapter of this award-winning initiative, the Common Reading program stands as a testament to the enduring power of literature to build bridges and foster meaningful dialogue within the college community.
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Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.
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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.
Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC
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