Your favorite T-shirt didn't just come from the mall.
Often our clothes come from factories in third world countries, as incoming freshmen will soon learn.
Next year's common reader will be "Where Am I Wearing: A Global Tour to the Countries, Factories, and People that Make Our Clothes," the First Year Experience Committee announced Saturday.
The book is about author Kelsey Timmerman's travels to Honduras, Bbangladesh, Cambodia and China in an attempt to find the people who made his clothes.
"It started off because I love to travel, and then it became something completely different," Timmerman said. "I didn't set out to write a book."
He made travel plans to Honduras because that's where his favorite T-shirt was manufactured. While on vacation, Timmerman decided to visit the factory that made his T-shirt.
"I didn't know it at the time, but it was life-changing," Timmerman said.
While he was at the factory in Honduras, Timmerman met a garment worker named Amilcar, whose story made the author want to learn more about the lives of others who make his clothing. Timmerman then went on to visit factories in Bangladesh, Cambodia and China.
His book was first published in 2008, but Timmerman returned to Honduras following the first publication and added more to the book. A second edition will be published this month. This is the version that will be read by next year's freshmen.
He will speak about the book in the Fall Semester.
Christine Shea, a classics professor who serves on the selection committee, said the book survived a list of over 100 titles. A committee of 16 members included faculty, freshman advisors, community members, librarians and student representatives from the Student Government Association.
This year is just the second time students recommended more books than faculty, said Melinda Messineo, who leads the committee.
Once recommendations are made, the committee narrows the list down to about nine books based on various criteria: the author of the book must be available to visit campus, the book must be between 250-300 pages, relatable to all students and must represent the diversity of the campus, Messineo said.
The surviving nine books are then distributed to the committee and read over winter break. Following break, the committee meets and cuts the list down to the final three and asks for feedback on the books.
The First Year Experience Committee receives the feedback and makes the final decision on which book will be the freshman reader.
Adrienne Bliss, an English professor, said the committee felt "Where Am I Wearing" illustrated current issues that students should know about.
"We felt like this book addresses a relevant issue with what's being learned about Apple and factories in China," she said. "It's also a very readable nonfiction book. It has a great combination of humor and insight."
Read More
IPR: Indiana Michigan Power extends Tillotson Avenue road construction project
By Indiana Public Radio / December 19, 2024Originally, the project had a November completion date. In a statement Thursday, the company says it has found more damage to “the existing underground infrastructure.”
Indiana Capital Chronicle: New revenue eaten up by Medicaid budget forecast
By Indiana Capital Chronicle / December 18, 2024Actuaries defend $1B ‘mistake’
Ball State holds 200th Commencement ceremony
By Trinity Rea / December 14, 2024Ball State University held its 200th commencement ceremony Dec. 14, celebrating over 1,200 Cardinal graduates.
