Author Yaa Gyasi speaks to Hood students.
By Maddie Collins//
Hood College hosted this year’s first-year read author Yaa Gyasi – the young writer behind the novel “Homegoing” – to campus on Wednesday, Oct. 25. to discuss her creative journey and how she came to publish her debut book.
Every freshman or transfer student who goes through the orientation process must read a book over the summer chosen by students, faculty and staff who are a part of the First-Year Read Program committee. When they arrive at Hood, the freshman and transfer students then complete an assignment based on what they read. This is considered their first college-level assignment. Not only does the book serve an academic purpose, it usually prepares students for the next chapter they are about to begin in their lives as the committee hopes that “Homegoing” did.
Dr. Martha Bari who is the head of the program chose “Homegoing” because she said it was, “very meaty, very thoughtful and historical. It talked about a lot of complex issues which was something that was really good for first-year students so that when they went to discuss it during orientation there would be a lot of different ways to approach it.”
The night began with a reception in which students, faculty and staff welcomed Gyasi to Hood’s campus. She had some time to mingle with those who have read her book and answer any questions that her audience had for her.