Northwestern’s One Book One Northwestern program will not take place during the 2025-26 academic year, the University announced in a news release Wednesday.
The decision comes as Nancy Cunniff, who has served as the campus reading program’s director since its founding 15 years ago, announced her plan to retire in August.
“Given the timeline and planning involved with this program, we are unable to execute it at the same level and on the same schedule that we have since its inception,” a University spokesperson told The Daily. “Thus, for the time being, we need to put it on hiatus. We are very appreciative of One Book director Nancy Cunniff’s efforts and vision.”
One Book One Northwestern is a university-wide initiative by the Office of the Provost that hosts events throughout the year — many of which are open to the public — around a new book that is chosen to prompt conversations on pressing social, cultural or ethical issues.
Each year, the Office of the President sends a free online copy of the book to incoming first-year and transfer students the summer before they arrive on campus, according to NU’s Block Museum of Art website.
Past titles include “The Handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood, “The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail — but Some Don’t,” by Nate Silver and “Crying in H Mart,” by Michelle Zauner. The One Book selection for 2024-25 was “The Night Watchman,” by Louise Erdrich.
One Book events have included speaker panels, performances, field trips and even a student-created cookbook. The initiative also offered fellowships and ambassador roles to undergraduates.
The University has not said whether the program will return in the 2026-27 academic year and a new director has not been announced.
Email: [email protected]
Related Stories:
— Block Museum hosts webinar on artwork connected to One Book One Northwestern
— Louise Erdrich talks inspirations One Book One Northwestern keynote
— ‘The Night Watchman’ by Louise Erdrich announced as 2024-25 One Book One Northwestern selection
