Pitt-Greensburg’s common read program, Westmoreland Reads, brings our campus and Westmoreland County communities together to engage in learning by reading and discussing books that present a diversity of themes that cross disciplines. This opportunity can help our students to build reading comprehension skills, understand diverse opinions and experiences, think critically about current societal issues, and build oral and written communication skills through discussions and assignments in class.
By reading the same book, we can build a sense of community. Our campus and community members can learn to look at the same book through an interdisciplinary lens, make connections, and engage in conversations with others across disciplines, interests and age groups.
In addition to providing materials to guide classes and book groups in their reading and discussion, the Westmoreland Reads committee also provides programming throughout the year that is linked to the themes in the book.
Our book selection for 2024-2025 touches on topics in science, medicine, public policy, history, politics, economic and racial disparity, advocacy, and more.
We are very excited to announce the common read for next year, What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha.
Dr. Hanna-Attisha will be on campus for a lecture and Q and A on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 7pm in Ferguson Theater on the Pitt-Greensburg campus. There will also be a virtual attendance option.
Please contact Sheila Confer (sec10@pitt.edu) if you are interested in adopting the book for your classes next year or if your community organization is interested in organizing a reading group.
Reading Group Materials
Upcoming Related Events
In person Q and A with Dr. Hanna-Attisha
Wednesday, October 23 at 7pm in Ferguson Theater. Free and open to the public; no registration is necessary for the in-person event. To register to attend virtually, please use this Zoom link.
Past Events
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Book discussion sponsored by the NAACP-Johnstown Branch. Part One (chapters 1-13) Tuesday, Sept. 24 and Thursday, Sept 26; part two (chapters 14- end of book) Monday, Oct 7 and Thursday, Oct 10.
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March 20 at 7pm - Virtual event with Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed. Community members were able to attend virtually.
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Diversity in Teaching workshop - Discussing race in the classroom. Thursday, September 14 from 5:30-7pm in Village Hall 118 on the Pitt-Greensburg campus - This interactive, one-hour workshop will allow educators and social service professionals of all backgrounds to think about how to talk about race - Open to the public
- Trip to downtown Charlottesville and Monticello - Friday, October 6-Saturday, October 7 - Open to Pitt-Greensburg students
- Diversity in Teaching workshop - Trauma and its impact on learning. Thursday, October 19 from 5:30-7pm in Village Hall 118 on the Pitt-Greensburg campus - This workshop focuses on the impact of trauma on students and adults in terms of education, work, and relationships - Open to the public
- Historians on History Series with Dr. Tiana Wilson - Wednesday, November 8 from 11:30am-1pm on Zoom - Open to the public
- February 10 from 9-11am - Stories and Crafts for Kids. In Honor of Black History Month and co- sponsored by the Pitt-Greensburg PSEA and the YWCA Westmoreland - Location - 424 N. Main St, Greensburg, PA
- February 20 at 6pm - Book Discussion event at the YWCA Westmoreland. Call the YWCA at 724-834-9390 for additional information or to register.
- February 25 at 6pm - Book discussion event at First Presbyterian Church in Greensburg sponsored by PFLAG Greensburg, Westmoreland LGBTQ Interfaith Network, and First Presbyterian Church.
Help Us Make an Impact
We hope you will help us make an impact in our community. Become a sponsor and/or facilitator to show your support for this program. Westmoreland Reads is looking for:
- Sponsors
- Facilitators for reading groups
- Volunteers to host informal groups with their friends and family
- Teachers and professors to adopt the book as reading for their classes
Guiding materials will be provided to all facilitators, volunteers, and teachers.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Sheila Confer sec10@pitt.edu or 724-836-9905 with any questions or for more information.
Signature Sponsors
- University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
- Westmoreland Community Action
- Friends of Millstein Library
- PFLAG Greensburg
Supporting Sponsors
- Independence Health System
- Karlice Makuchan
- NAACP - Johnstown Chapter
- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ligonier Valley
- Westmoreland LGBTQ Interfaith Network
- Class Sponsors
- Community Foundation of Westmoreland County