Pulitzer Prize-winning author and columnist Anna Quindlen, the first writer to have books appear on three different New York Times Best-Seller lists, will speak during Elon University’s Fall Convocation at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 27 in the Koury Center on campus. Her speech is part of the Baird Pulitzer Prize Lecture Series, which brings some of the nation’s most accomplished writers and journalists to campus.
Quindlen entered the world of journalism at age 18 as a copy girl and joined The New York Post as a reporter following graduation from Barnard College. In 1977 she began an 18-year career at The New York Times, holding several positions, including general assignment and City Hall reporter, “About New York” columnist, and deputy metropolitan editor. In 1981 she became only the third woman in the paper’s history to write a regular column for the influential Op-Ed page. In 1992 she received the Pulitzer Prize for commentary for her nationally syndicated column “Public and Private.”
In 1995 Quindlen left the Times to write novels, non-fiction, and children’s books. She is the author of “Object Lessons”, “One True Thing”, “Black and Blue”, and “A Short Guide to a Happy Life.” Her latest New York Times bestseller is the novel “Blessings.”
In 1999 Quindlen joined Newsweek magazine as a contributing editor. Millions read her bi-weekly column, “The Last Word,” which offers perspectives on current events and issues of family, work, education, and social justice. Her latest book, “Imagined London,” takes readers on a tour of her favorite English literary places and characters.
Quindlen chairs the board of trustees at Barnard College. She was elected a fellow of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1996 and named one of Glamour magazine’s 10 Outstanding Women of the Year in 1991. She has been honored with a Poynter Fellowship in Journalism at Yale University.
Tickets for convocation are $12 or free for those with valid Elon identification. Tickets may be purchased by calling the McCrary Theatre box office at (336) 278-5610. The box office is open from 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
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