The Power of the Written Word

In an era of rapid technological change and fleeting digital content, the written word continues to stand as one of the most enduring pillars of human expression and learning. For centuries, literature has been the medium through which we engage with complex ideas, reflect on society and develop our understanding of the world around us. At Bucknell, this belief in the power of language remains central to our mission.

In my own experience, the joy of reading has been a constant source of connection, both personally and within my family. Just as my father introduced me to great books, I now find that sharing literature with my sons has deepened our conversations and expanded our perspectives. Books have a unique way of sparking dialogue that transcends generations, and in our household, discussions about what we’re reading often lead to meaningful reflections on life and society. This is much like the dialogue we foster at Bucknell through our first-year Common Reading program, which introduces incoming students to literature that challenges their thinking and encourages community-wide conversations. This year, our Class of 2028 is reflecting on Colson Whitehead’s Sag Harbor, a novel that not only immerses them in literary exploration but also sets the tone for their academic and personal growth at Bucknell.

Mr. Whitehead — a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and author of bestsellers including The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys — is also the 2024 recipient of the University’s prestigious Janet Weis Fellowship in Contemporary Letters, a biennial award that recognizes the highest level of achievement in the craft of fiction, nonfiction or biography writing. The series is funded by a gift made in honor of the late author, civic leader, philanthropist and trustee emerita. Past honorees represent a wide variety of literary genres and include such luminaries as Toni Morrison, Edward Albee, Robert Caro, Joyce Carol Oates, Salman Rushdie, Rita Dove and Peter Balakian ’73, P’10, to name just a few.

In September, we welcomed Mr. Whitehead to campus to accept the Weis Fellowship (see P. 6). It was a wonderful opportunity for the Bucknell community to hear from such an internationally esteemed writer — particularly for the Class of 2028. What an extraordinary introduction to Bucknell for our newest students, and what a brilliant example of the enduring power of literature to expand our worldview and connect us at every stage of our lives.

The world has changed dramatically since Bucknell’s founding, but we have never wavered in our belief in the written word as the bedrock of the liberal arts. We teach our students to read and write well across all academic disciplines, from engineering and management to the social and natural sciences and beyond. We stress the importance of storytelling as a way we can begin to understand unfamiliar perspectives and strengthen our campus community. The Bucknell University Press and the Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts, both rarities among schools of our size, underscore our institutional commitment to the art of writing.

Bucknell remains committed to nurturing a deep appreciation for the written word across all disciplines. Whether through our rich academic offerings or our vibrant literary traditions, we strive to ensure that students not only read and write with precision but also understand the importance of storytelling in shaping the world. No matter how the world and society evolve, I am confident that Bucknell will continue to make literature a priority for generations of students to come.