ABERDEEN, S.D. (NSU) – Northern State University will welcome internationally renowned author and advocate Loung Ung as the keynote speaker for the annual Larry and Julie Poeppel Family Common Read Lecture.  The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in the Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater at the Johnson Fine Arts Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.

“We are deeply honored to host Loung Ung for this year’s Common Read,” said Dr. Hannah Walters, director of the NSU Honors Program. “Her extraordinary journey of resilience and advocacy will inspire and enlighten our campus and community.”

Ung is the bestselling author of “First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers,” a memoir chronicling her survival of the Cambodian genocide. In 2017, the book was adapted into a Netflix Original Movie directed by Angelina Jolie, with Ung serving as co-writer for the screenplay.

“I am honored that ‘First They Killed My Father’ has been chosen as the Common Read at Northern State University,” Ung said. “Sharing stories helps us connect, foster empathy, and better understand the struggles and resilience of others. I hope this book inspires meaningful conversations about history, humanity, and the power of perseverance.”

Loung Ung was born in Phnom Penh in 1970. At age 5, her family was forced to leave their home when the Khmer Rouge came to power in Cambodia. Over the next four years, she endured the tragic loss of her parents and two siblings. She and her older brother later escaped to Thailand and eventually resettled in the United States.

In addition to her first memoir, Ung wrote “Lucky Child” and “Lulu in the Sky,” which reflect on survival, family, and personal growth. Her books have been translated into 15 languages and are widely used in schools and universities worldwide.

Ung served as an advocate and spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine-Free World, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. She was also named one of the “100 Global Youth Leaders of Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum. Ung speaks to audiences worldwide, sharing her story and encouraging others through her experiences.

The Larry and Julie Poeppel Family Common Read lecture gives attendees the chance to hear Ung reflect on her life, the power of storytelling, and the lessons she has learned along the way. A Q&A session will follow, providing attendees the opportunity to ask questions and connect with Ung. Copies of “First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers” will be available for purchase for $16.00 plus tax in the NSU Wolf Shoppe, located on the first floor of the Student Center.

Now in its 16th year, the Common Read is Northern State University’s largest academic event, promoting intellectual growth and meaningful dialogue within the campus and Aberdeen community. The Common Read culminates with the Larry and Julie Poeppel Family Lecture, funded in part by the Poeppel Family endowment with additional support from the Marlene and Clayton Olson Endowment. The NSU Honors Program would like to thank all of the donors and supporters who help make the Common Read program successful.