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Campus Read author Emily St. John Mandel to speak at WVU

Emily John Mandel next to her book cover.

An appearance by the author of “Station Eleven,” will highlight a series of events to celebrate the 2018-19 Campus Read.

Emily St. John Mandel will read from her book and participate in a discussion of its themes of pandemics, survival, art and humanity at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 19 in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre. Because of expected demand, the event will also be webcast.

The award-winning novel focuses on a traveling symphony and Shakespeare troupe 20 years after a flu pandemic kills most of the world’s population. This is not a post-apocalyptic thriller, but a hopeful story about human connection, beauty and art.

“There are themes in this beautifully written book that make it perfect for discussions all across campus,” said Ryan Claycomb, director of the Campus Read. “Our faculty and staff are bringing their wide expertise to a fascinating selection of conversations, lectures and exhibits connected to the book.”

Among the activities scheduled and open to the public are:

  • "Powerful Stories" A Campus Read Panel Discussion

Sept.10 at 7 p.m.

Rhododendron Room, Mountainlair


  • OUTBREAK! Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit

Sept. 10 - Dec. 30

Life Sciences Building Ground Floor


  • The 1918 Flu Epidemic: Looking Back 100 Years through the Archives

Sept.18 at 4 p.m.

Downtown Campus Library


  • "An Evening with Author Emily St. John Mandel"

Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre, Creative Arts Center

WEBCAST: https://tlcommons.wvu.edu/webcasts


  • “Music for Survival: A Conversation with WVU Orchestra Conductor Mitchell Arnold”

Public talk before the WVU Symphony Orchestra Concert

Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre, Creative Arts Center


  • Avatars and Their Players: From Object to Other

Exhibit Oct.1 - Dec. 30

Note: Lecture on Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.

Downtown Campus Library


  • Student Health Traveling Flu Shot Clinic

Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Health Sciences Center Pylons


  • "Pandemics and Vaccinations" Health Sciences Expert Panel

Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.

Health Sciences Center TBD


  • "Survival and Sufficiency" A Campus Read Panel Discussion

Oct.16 at 7 p.m.

Rhododendron Room, Mountainlair


  • A World without Women? A Campus Read Panel Discussion

Oct. 23 at 4:30 p.m.

LGBTQ+ Center


  • "My Hero!" Comics Art Exhibition Opening

Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.

Art Museum of West Virginia University


This is the fourth year WVU has selected a book designed to engage the campus and community. “Station Eleven” was the winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Science Fiction and the Toronto Book Award and was a finalist for a National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award.

For details on the events and the book visit the Campus Read website.