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Intellectual Life at EMU

This page is brought to you by the Intellectual Life Commitee of the provost's office. Read about our Common Read, browse descriptions of other expressions of our intellectual life on campus, and see the calendar of upcoming Arts & Lecture events.

Read together - EMU's Common Read

Each year, we choose a book to read together as a campus. EMU’s Common Read helps us to enter into discussions about issues and ideas through a grounding text and in classroom discussions, convocations, and intellectual life activities. Books and topics are chosen to help us shape the conversation around EMU's core values. 

How is the Common Read selected? 

²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø selects a common text that builds community by providing our students, staff and faculty a shared experience to inspire conversation and meaningful debate. The Common Read also helps to increase our overall sense of unity, encourages creativity, and improves campus awareness of the biggest challenges that face our world.  Such engagement provides us with an opportunity to engage with ideas to explore throughout the academic year. The Intellectual Life Committee endeavors to select texts that reflect our overall mission and values. Furthermore, we are committed to preparing our students to lead and serve in a global context. Each year the Intellectual Life Committee solicits recommendations from the campus community for the next Common Read.

What is the 2025-2026 Text?

 Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer- .

As a faculty or staff member, can I get a copy?

 Yes, come to the Hartzler Library and ask for a copy.  The library is open Monday - Friday 8 am - 4 pm.

 

Expressions of Intellectual Life on campus

  • Augsburger Lectures

    The Augsburger Lectureship provides resources to annually bring to campus a noted lecturer to address pertinent topics in the area of Christian evangelism and mission.

  • Center for Interfaith Engagement

    The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world. CIE hosts visiting scholars, sponsors an Interfaith Peace Camp, and sponsors other events including a spring film series.

     

  • Campus Worship 

    Campus worship is a space for gathered community worship in a variety of styles. Every other Wednesday from 10:15-11:05 a.m. in Martin Chapel and live streamed on the . Video recordings are available on the EMU Facebook page and information about worship at EMU is available at /studentlife/spiritual-life/worship/

  • Convocation

    Convocation is a space for developing a sense of community in response to EMU core values and commitments. Speakers engage timely conversations and explore topics from a variety of perspectives. Every other Wednesday from 10:15-11:05 a.m. often in Lehman Auditorium, and live streamed on . More info can be found at

  • Keim Lectureship

    The Albert N. Keim Lecture Series honors the memory of Professor Albert N. Keim who has served as a history professor at EMU for 35 years and was the academic dean from 1977 to 1984.

  • Longacre Business Seminar Series
    This series presents at least one seminar each fall and spring semester, with the intent to appeal both to department stakeholders and the broader community. Seminars serve the dual purposes of furthering knowledge from within business fields as well as raising the profile of the business field and the business department at EMU.
  • Performing Arts
    EMU is home to a thriving performing arts community, including the EMU Music and Theatre Departments, , (SVCC), Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony (SVYS), and the Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music program (SVPM). Various performances are hosted throughout the year on EMU's campus. Admission is charged for some events; visit the event website for ticket information.
  • Seminary Chapel
    Seminary chapel is held every Tuesday in Martin Chapel and via livestream at 11:00am. This service gathers members of the Seminary and university community and beyond for Christian worship through music, prayer, scripture, preaching and creative liturgical practices. You can hear podcasts of previous chapel services here.
  • Suter Science Seminars

    Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit EMU’s campus to share their insights. The includes science research seminars, STEM professional seminars presented by EMU alumni, and seminars which explore connections between science and the humanities. 

  • Sabbatical Spotlights

    The Provost's Office is the host of this academic lecture series. The presenters are EMU faculty, sharing from their work on a recent Sabbatical. Presentations are intended to be accessible to an interdisciplinary audience, and followed by discussion. These events are held on selected Tuesdays at noon in EMU's West Dining Hall; feel free to bring your lunch.

  • Writers Reads and Spanish Language Film Series

    Writers Read features authors who read from and comment on their work; refreshments are provided. Spanish language films will have English subtitles; introductions and student-led discussions are in English. emu.edu/language-and-literature

Calendar of upcoming Arts & lectures events