Greg Mortenson is the type of man who, even if you’re interrupting his short lunch hour squeezed between two speaking engagements, will still offer you his fruit cup — a testament, perhaps, to his time in Pakistan where nothing can be discussed without first sharing a cup of tea.
Mortenson’s New York Time’s-bestselling book, “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time,” begins with his failed attempt to climb K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Even though he failed, his trip led him to an impoverished Pakistan village where he made a promise to a little girl that he would build her a school. Mortenson kept his promise and has since established more than 130 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan through his nonprofit organization, Central Asia Institute.
Ohio State students and Columbus residents packed the Mershon Auditorium on Sunday and Monday nights to hear Mortenson speak about his experiences and his book, which was co-authored by acclaimed journalist David Oliver Relin.
In an interview with The Lantern, Mortenson spoke about the theme of education upon which his book his founded.
“We do need to eventually declare a major and graduate,” Mortenson said, “but it’s also important to use your time in university to become the best person you can be, make yourself strong and explore different horizons.”
For students wanting to change the world, it’s the small things that matter, he said.
“We sometimes have really big goals, big dreams, but really the way to start is just one child, one student, one pencil, one penny at a time,” he said.
The first donation Mortenson received for his project to develop education was from a group of young school children, collected one penny at a time.
Through Autumn Quarter, OSU will be collecting money for Mortenson’s fundraising organization, Pennies for Peace, inspired by those schoolchildren. Collection jars are located throughout campus.
Over the summer, incoming freshmen were given copies of Mortenson’s book.
“The whole point is to engage the entire freshman class in an academically enriching experience,” said Amy Barnes, assistant director of Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience. “Bringing the author to campus enhances that.”
Mortenson’s book is especially relevant to first-year students, Barnes said, because the transition to college is a journey of its own.
“Freshmen especially are embarking on the journey of college and searching for their passion in life, and Greg definitely found his,” she said.
Mortenson is now nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, which will be announced this Friday.
