About Fall Convocation: The Elaine G. Hadden Distinguished Author presented in partnership with Think Forum
Fall Convocation: The Elaine G. Hadden Distinguished Author presented in partnership with Think Forum, is the formal celebration that opens each new academic year at Case Western Reserve University. Traditionally, held in late August during the first week of the fall semester, Fall Convocation features keynote remarks from the Elaine G. Hadden Distinguished Visiting Author, along with recognition of faculty receiving the highest honor—the title of Distinguished University Professor.
University’s Common Reading
As part of the common reading program, the author of the common reading book appears as the Elaine G. Hadden Distinguished Visiting Author during Fall Convocation—the official opening event of the new academic year. The event is open to the entire campus community and also to the public. For more information, please see the Event Details page.
Our 2023 speaker will be award-winning author Ruha Benjamin. Her nonfiction book Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code, winner of the 2020 Oliver Cox Cromwell Book Prize and the 2020 Brooklyn Public Library Literary Award for Nonfiction was chosen as Case Western Reserve University's 2023 common reading book. Each year since 2002, the university’s common reading has served as a basis for programs and discussions for first-year students.
Read the complete announcement from The Daily: Common reading tackles technology's troubles with bias and how humans can help address them
Learn More about Ruha Benjamin -Click here to access the research guide