K-State First Book

The first book program is designed to provide a common experience to help first-year students grow academically and socially, and share something with all other first year students along with our broader campus community each year.

A blue background with the words Callings The Purpose and Passion of Work with three lines of birds on wires beneath

2026 Common Book: Callings by David Isay

Dave Isay is the founder of StoryCorps and its parent company, Sound Portraits Productions. Over the past two decades, his radio documentary work has won numerous broadcasting awards, including five Peabody awards. Isay has also received a Guggenheim Fellowship, a MacArthur Fellowship and a United States Artists Fellowship.

According to the publisher's website, the book is "told through touching conversations between friends, coworkers and family members. From a mom telling her daughter about her bricklaying career to a father sharing his contributions to the space race as an aeromedical field tester, these stories are poignant and heartfelt intergenerational explorations into the journeys people take to find the jobs they are meant to do."

Learn more here.

K-State First Book Fall 2026 Events

K-State First Book Author Talk - An Evening with Dave Isay

Dave Isay — award-winning radio producer, founder of StoryCorps and author of the 2026 K-State common read "Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work" — will give a public lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 1, in the K-State Student Union Ballroom. The hourlong lecture, which is free to the public, will explore themes from "Callings," a collection of stories centered on people who found purpose and meaning in their work through passion, service and perseverance.

RSVP Here

K-State First Book Dialogues - Find Your Calling

Join us for an engaging discussion where students, staff, and faculty come together to share their favorite moments from our 2026 common read, Callings, and a chance to explore who you are, what you bring, and the path that will help you get you there. Whether you're looking to meet new people, deepen existing friendships, or simply engage in thoughtful dialogue about finding your passion and purpose, this event offers a welcoming environment to connect and learn. Come ready to listen, share, and be part of building the supportive community that will guide us towards our callings.

RSVP Here

K-State First Book Resources - 2026

K-State First Book Scholarship

K-State First Book Awards celebrate the common experiences shared at K-State with the common book. The award winners all work hard to foster student engagement, enhance students' educational experience, expand the consideration of new ideas, values and concepts in the classroom and in the university community, and use creative applications of the themes from the common book of the year. The K-State First Book program offers several awards, including the Bill Miller and Debbie Leckron Miller K-State First Book Scholarships, a Student Group Award, and a Faculty/Staff Award.

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Callings Resource and Activity Guide

This guide provides resources for using the Kansas State University 2026 common book, “Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work” by David Isay and Maya Millett. Included in the guide are discussion questions, suggested classroom activities, and additional resources.

Read and download the guide on our KRex page here

Nominate the 2027-2028 Common Book Visit our nominations page and help us select the 2027-2028 K-State First Book!

Submit your nominations

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Events

Attend events sponsored by K-State First Book, K-State First, and our campus and community partners.

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Get Involved

Join our selection committee, plan an event, and engage in conversation!

About KSFB

Learn more about how the program works, our learning outcomes, and our history.

Explore Resources

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