2025 K-State common read to bring Wildcats 'Together'
Monday, April 28, 2025
K-State First, in consultation with the Office of the Provost and the campus community, has chosen "Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World" by Vivek H. Murthy as Kansas State University's common read for 2025.
Murthy served as the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States, and in "Together," he explores loneliness as a public health concern, shares inspiring stories of individuals and communities combating loneliness, and offers creative solutions to help people live with more connection.
"'Together' is a powerful choice for the K-State First Book because it sparks vital conversations about the importance of connection and community," said Brianne Heidbreder, director of K-State First and associate professor of political science. "It is a reminder that one of our greatest strengths lies in how we care for and show up for one another."
As the author's website explains, "While technology promises to connect us, it can also isolate; while mobility means our loved ones are only a train ride or flight away, we also move away from the communities where we grew up; while we increasingly have the opportunity to pursue our individual destinies, we can put our own goals ahead of our relationships and community; and despite all of the progress we have made in how we talk about mental health, we are still ashamed of feeling lonely. … The good news is that with awareness of the causes of our loneliness, comes creative solutions to help ourselves and those we love to create more connected lives."
The K-State First Book program will work with its campus partners to develop lectures, panels, events and other academic resources that utilize the groups' expertise to help the campus and Manhattan communities experience "Together" in a new way.
Partners so far include the Beach Museum of Art; the English department in the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Architecture, Planning & Design; the College of Education; the College of Veterinary Medicine; the Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs; K-State Libraries; and the Staley School of Leadership.
"This book explores themes of loneliness, connection, friendship, empathy, mental health, and other relevant topics. It encourages readers to examine loneliness and how culture and society shape our feelings and responses," said Tara Coleman, K-State First Book coordinator and professor and interim associate dean of K-State Libraries. "'Together' also aligns with K-State's Health-Promoting University initiative by encouraging social and academic activities centered on connection."
K-State First Book will provide publicity support for the events, and campus programming partners will receive a copy of the 2025 selection to share within their group in advance of the fall semester. Interested departments or groups should contact kstatefirst@k-state.edu no later than May 15 if they would like to join this effort for the 2025 selection.
"The 2025 book selection allows us to continue conversations from the past fifteen years of K-State First's common reading program as we explore themes connected to community, family, friendship, public health, and how we can foster well-being in all aspects of our lives," said Karin Westman, chair of the K-State First Book PR/Events Committee and department head of English. "With the help of our campus and community partners, we're looking forward to a great range of in-person and online programming."
The motto of the K-State First Book is "A campus on the same page." It is designed to provide a common experience to help first-year students grow academically and socially and have something to share with all other first-year students. Learn more and explore past reads on the K-State First Book website.