Methodist College Launches Inaugural MC Reads! Program

Methodist College is launching an inaugural MC Reads! program this semester with the selection of "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel. The Methodist College Reads initiative will coincide with the Peoria Reads! community program. The reading program is designed to bring the college community together by facilitating interest and discussion in a common book. 

According to the Peoria Reads! website, “Station Eleven is set 20 years after a devastating flu pandemic destroys civilization as we know it. A woman moves between the settlements of the altered world with a small troupe of actors and musicians until they encounter a violent prophet who threatens the tiny band’s existence.” 

Faculty will be incorporating the book into assignments to promote an integrative learning environment. Among the many benefits, the program will give Methodist College students a common topic of dialogue, increased student involvement, intellectual engagement, community building, and will encourage reading and lifelong learning for our students. The college wide benefits include an integrative learning environment, increased interaction between diverse groups, shared goals, and will foster a culture of collaboration and community on campus. 

“The book is a wonderful fit for Methodist College, as the selection focuses on the aftermath of a pandemic flu. Our healthcare focused students will find this new take on a pandemic outbreak interesting and engaging,” said Colleen Karn, Instructor at Methodist College and MC Reads! Committee Chairperson. 

The MC Reads! committee will host several events for the Methodist College community and a larger event open to the public. The MC Reads! committee is currently organizing events including a movie night and book discussions. Individuals can visit the Methodist College Library website for more details in the upcoming weeks. Methodist College, in conjunction with Peoria Reads! will also host a community event in March. Methodist College plans to continue this project in the future to provide our college community with a basis for integrative learning that will serve students throughout their time at Methodist College.

Peoria Reads! is a community reading project presented by the Peoria Public Library with support from many community partners. Each year Peoria Reads! selects a book to facilitate a community discussion about the selection. Peoria Reads! offers book discussion groups and other special events. Local organizations are encouraged to participate in the community program. Participants in the MC Reads! program are encouraged to attend other community events if interested. 

Through a generous grant from the UnityPoint Health Methodist/Proctor Foundation, new students for the Spring 2018 semester will be provided a copy of the book. Additional copies of the book are available in the Methodist College library.