Author Christina Kline Delivers CRE Author Lecture Monday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 5, 2016) — All the other books incoming freshmen have been asked to read in the eight years of the University of Kentucky Common Reading Experience (CRE) program have been award-winning nonfiction on true events — Hurricane Katrina, war in Afghanistan and Sierra Leone, the rape conviction of an innocent man — recounted by those who experienced them. For the first time, incoming UK freshmen read a fictional novel for CRE, the international bestseller “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline.

“Orphan Train” is also the first CRE book to be set in an historical era that is relatively unknown.

The book is only fictional in the sense that the events took place decades ago, before the author was born, in a pre-Civil War, pre-Depression America — an era of 75 years when 250,000 orphaned, abandoned and homeless children were put on trains and shipped to Midwestern farmlands. Some were lucky to be taken in by kind families; others were not. Thus, began foster care in America.

“Orphan Train” was selected by the CRE Selection Committee because they strongly believe it will enable academic discussion between students and faculty on issues of diversity and inclusion. Focusing on the foster care system and adoption, the book develops themes of immigration, resiliency, friendships and overcoming personal challenges. 

To hear UK President Eli Capilouto’s impressions of “Orphan Train,” visit https://youtu.be/uy7SMn11uR8. 

For freshmen, who have explored various aspects of “Orphan Train” through the summer and into the fall semester, the traditional CRE Author’s Lecture marks a turning point in the program. Kline will visit UK to discuss the book at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, in Memorial Coliseum. The entire UK and Lexington community is invited to attend the free event. Parking is available in nearby Parking Structure #5.

“We are thrilled to welcome Christina Baker Kline to campus to continue the discussion on themes and issues presented in 'Orphan Train,'” said Kasey Borchardt, assistant director in New Student and Family Programs and coordinator of the Common Reading Experience. “The book discusses a time in American history that often goes undiscussed, and the resiliency seen in both characters is powerful and humbling."

“UK has an incredible opportunity with this book to engage students, faculty and staff in a campuswide discussion on the topics of immigration, racial profiling and the modern-day foster care system with our yearlong programming efforts,” she added

Remaining CRE activities include:

· “The Brains Behind the Orphan Trains” with Assistant Professor Melissa Stein (UK Department of Gender and Women's Studies) at 4 p.m., Oct. 20, in the Alumni Gallery, William T. Young Library. 

· “Personal and Professional Connections to 'Orphan Train,'” a panel discussion with faculty on foster care and adoption with Assistant Professor Justin "Jay" Miller (College of Social Work), Assistant Professor Rachel Farr (Department of Psychology), Senior Lecturer Holly Hapke (Gatton College of Business and Economics), Assistant Professor Melissa Stein (Department of Gender and Women's Studies) at 3:30 p.m., Nov. 17, UK Athletics Auditorium, Young Library.

UK’s Common Reading Experience is designed to introduce new students to the academic life of the university. The goal is two-fold: first, to bring new students together for a common reading experience that introduces them to academic discourse prior to the start of classes, and second, to engage the UK community in a common intellectual experience through yearlong programming that encourages deeper thinking and discussion to further unite the campus community.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Gail Hairston, 859-257-3302, gail.hairston@uky.edu