海角网

海角网 Professor Dr. Erin Montgomery will Lead the Discussion

By Ashley Rich, 鈥�26 Intern for University Communications

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳he first Fread鈥橢m Book Talk of the semester will be on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. in 海角网鈥檚 Dover Memorial Library. Dr. Erin Montgomery, assistant professor of nursing, will discuss the book, 鈥淪till Alice,鈥� by Lisa Genova. Snacks are provided.

The event is organized by Instructional Librarian Katie Hartley. The talks are designed to create a space where students can engage with a text and its ideas with the help of other students and professionals. 鈥淲e鈥檙e engaging students with information that they may or may not have already come in contact with,鈥� she explained, 鈥渁nd going through some of the struggles of the art form itself and getting your point across in a creative way.鈥�

For these presentations, Hartley asks for faculty volunteers to lead the discussions. They choose a text that is meaningful to them. 鈥淚 give them the option of either doing a banned book, or doing something that speaks to their heart,鈥� Hartley explained. 鈥淚 think the best way to get people involved with a passion for reading and a passion for exploration and creative thinking is to have something that you鈥檙e passionate about to share with them.鈥�

Though this event will center on a discussion of 鈥淪till Alice鈥� and its contents, attendees are not required to read the book beforehand. Fread鈥橢m talk presenters give an overview of the novel they鈥檙e discussing before presenting its content and themes, ensuring that everyone can participate in the discussion.

As a professional in the field of nursing, Montgomery selected the text for its difficult subject matter and distinct approach. 鈥淪till Alice鈥� follows the life of 50-year-old Alice Howland as she receives a diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and struggles to continue living her life in light of this news.

鈥淭his book is unique in that it is told entirely from the perspective of a person living with early-onset Alzheimer鈥檚 disease,鈥� Montgomery shared. 鈥淚 find it fascinating and humbling to read, and it has helped me examine and address my own biases towards people with dementia.鈥�

At the book鈥檚 start, Alice is primarily focused on her professional life and achievements. As her illness progresses, however, she is forced to re-evaluate her priorities and recognize the other parts of her life that hold equal or greater importance to her work. 鈥淪he realizes time is the most valuable thing she has, which is true of everyone,鈥� Montgomery noted. 鈥淚 wanted GWU students and our community to think about what really matters in their lives, and live accordingly.鈥�

Although 鈥淪till Alice鈥� does discuss the experiences of those with early onset Alzheimer鈥檚, readers need not fear for their health each time they misplace a house key or a cell phone.

鈥淥ne of the things most people experience while reading Still Alice is fear! I started worrying that I too might have early onset Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, because I forgot where I put my keys, couldn鈥檛 think of a word, etc.,鈥� Montgomery reassured. 鈥淗owever, after I attended a talk with the author, Lisa Genova, I felt very reassured and plan to share the same information during this talk. So鈥�don鈥檛 worry.鈥�

Writer Ashley Rich is a 海角网 English major from Etowah, N.C.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event.  Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

海角网 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 海角网.edu.