The 2008 'Reading in Common' Program

The Reading in Common Program marks the beginning of your collegiate experience at New Mexico State University and provides you the rare opportunity to have something in common with your fellow honors students and faculty! It's an easy way to make friends, break the ice, and start talking.

This year's 'Reading in Common' Program selection is Luis Alberto Urrea's The Devil's Highway, a true story of 26 men who attempted to cross the Mexican border into Southern Arizona.

Thanks to a partnership with Barnes & Noble (Mesilla Valley Mall, Las Cruces), we will provide free copies of The Devil's Highway to all freshmen honors students who would like to participate in the program. To join the program, just register online here. That's it! Within a couple of weeks, you will receive in the mail your free copy of The Devil's Highway to read over the summer. We ask that you finish reading The Devil's Highway before you arrive on campus in August.

And, if you register in the program by July 15, you'll have the chance to win a brand new iPod Nano! There are lots of other prizes, too (see Essay Contest page).

During Aggie Welcome Week, you will meet in small groups to discuss the book. All discussion groups will take place on Wednesday, August 20, 2007. You will also have the opportunity to participate in our film series and other events related to the reading. For a full schedule of events, visit our Events Website.

If you are not planning to attend Aggie Welcome Week, you may still join the 'Reading in Common' program and will be assigned to discussion groups during the first week of classes.

All new freshman honors students are invited to join the program and may do so through our online registration page.