Bible Hill--First-year NSAC students will participate in a shared intellectual experience this Fall as the university launches an exciting new initiative - a first-year book project.

“The First Year Book Project will provide a thread of commonality among all first-year students as well as the campus community as a whole,” explained NSAC Associate Vice-President for Students, Keltie Jones. “By encouraging diverse members of the campus community to read the same book and attend related events, we hope to promote dialogue and build community.”

All first year students will be asked to read Nova Scotia: Visions of the Future, edited by Pottersfield publisher Lesley Choyce. Faculty and staff will incorporate the book into their curriculum and various events will be held on campus throughout the year to reinforce the book’s theme.

Nova Scotia: Visions of the Future is a collection of essays by a varied list of Nova Scotians who present their vision of a possible future of Nova Scotia. Contributing writers include Marq deVilliers, Peggy Hope-Simpson, Richard Zurawski, Premier Rodney MacDonald, Budge Wilson, Alan Wilson, Dr. Richard Goldbloom, Carol Bruneau, Tom Gallant, Geoff Regan, Sunyata Choyce, Neal Livingston, Barb Stegemann, Bill Carr, Bob Howse, Ralph Martin and Stephen Clare.

NSAC Environmental Sciences Professor Dr. Randy Olson feels the selection of this specific book is very timely not only for Nova Scotia, but for all of Atlantic Canada.

“ Our young people need to realize that they are the future. What they do in life and the kind of personal character they develop will have consequences for all of us,” Olson explained. “Many of the essays in this book will help facilitate a greater awareness of just how important the individual is in determining our collective future. Our students will no doubt have an essential role to play in confronting the many challenges of that future.”

Students will be arriving on campus on Sunday, September 5th, for Orientation activities with classes beginning the following Wednesday.

NSAC is a specialized university that cultivates learning and research, focusing on improving and sustaining our environment for the health and well-being of society.

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For more information contact Stephanie Rogers at (902) 893-7247 or by e-mail at srogers@nsac.ca