REPORTERS: You can film and/or take notes at this event and interview the professor and students before or after the discussion.

January 25, 2011 — Hear what University of Virginia first-year and transfer students think of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," a book they read as part of U.Va.'s Professor Picks program. The faculty member who chose this work, Dean of Students Allen Groves, will lead the conversation with students on Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Tuttle Dormitory on Alderman Road.

Residence Life sponsors the Professor Picks program in an effort to further engage first-year and transfer students in academic life.

Prior to winter break, interested students signed up for the program, and received a free copy of their chosen book to read over the recess.

Now in its eighth year, this year’s Professor Picks program boasts the involvement of 19 professors and more than 200 students, reading a range of both fiction and nonfiction books.

In addition to Dean Groves' discussion tomorrow, there are 13 remaining sessions being led by U.Va. professors in the coming week. The schedule is listed online here.

Something new this year is that the program is being overseen and implemented by an undergraduate, Jenny Eaton, a fourth-year commerce student and Residence Life program coordinator for council leadership and development. In previous years Professor Picks has been coordinated by a graduate student.

For information on the program and upcoming discussions, contact Eaton at jle8a@virginia.edu. More details are also noted here.