UNA's One Book program began in the 2019-2020 academic year as a common read for for all students, faculty and staff on campus. The book is integrated as part of the First Year Experience Curriculum to support learning outcomes including diversity, open discussion, and understanding of differing viewpoints and life experiences. Any UNA classes are welcome to include the year's chosen One Book in their courses. Collier Library supports the One Book by maintaining a large collection of the books available for check-out and on reserve, as well as hosting events related to the themes and ideas in the chosen book.
Jennifer Berry Hawes is a reporter at The Post and Courier in Charleston, where she works on the Watchdog and Public Service team, which focuses on investigations and other in-depth stories. She was part of the team that produced “Till Death Do Us Part,” a series about domestic violence that won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2015. She also was a Pulitzer finalist in feature writing in 2019 for a series of stories that re-examined the 1944 execution of George Stinney Jr., a 14-year-old African American youth, and clues that point to a wealthy white man as the real killer. Her book, Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness, chronicles the Emanuel AME Church shooting and its impact on the survivors and victims’ loved ones. Jennifer graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago and now lives in Charleston with her husband and two children.