DETROIT, April 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Marygrove College welcomes renowned poet Marilyn Nelson for a public reading of her works and book signing on Friday, April 20, 2007, at 8 p.m. on Marygrove's campus. Nelson's appearance is free and open to the public.
In honor of the author featured in its annual Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series, students participate in a writing contest. Named for its original sponsors, former Marygrove Trustee Frederick P. Currier and his wife Amy McCombs, the contest encourages students' own writing inspired by the author's work, her life or writing style.
This year's winners are Junior Mallory Draughn, an English major studying to be an elementary school teacher; Junior Paula Grogan, a Australian born English major studying to be an elementary school teacher; Senior Kerry Howell, an English major who will attend grad school to work on her teaching certificate; Senior Melanie Wallace, an English major and middle school teacher; Freshman Briana Williams, an English major; and Sophomore Rachel Willis, an English major and Spanish minor. They will receive their monetary awards during a special dinner with Marilyn Nelson at 6 p.m. on April 20.
Nelson is the author of thirteen books of poetry, six of which are written for children. Her work has received two Pushcart Prizes, two Coretta Scott King Book Awards, a Newbery Honor Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the 1998 Poets' Prize. She has been a finalist for the National Book Award and the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize. Nelson is professor emerita of English at the University of Connecticut and the former poet laureate of the state of Connecticut.
Her major volumes include Mama's Promises (1985), The Homeplace (1990), Magnificat (1994), The Fields of Praise: New and Selected Poems (1997), and The Cachoeira Tales and Other Poems (2005).
This year, Marygrove will celebrate the inauguration of its 8th President David J. Fike, PhD. Several events have been designated as Inaugural Events, including this Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series. Supporting this event are members of the Marygrove College Urban Leaders Circle, DaimlerChrysler, Comerica, Harrison Technology Consulting, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Health Alliance Plan and Michigan First Credit Union, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Knight Foundation and the Lillian and Donald Bauder Endowment.
For more information on Nelson's reading, call 313-927-1383. For Inauguration information, contact Renee Ahee, rahee@marygrove.edu or 313-927-1446.
Marygrove College is a private liberal arts college located at 8425 W. McNichols Rd. in Detroit. More than 1,200 students attend classes in its undergraduate and graduate programs in education, business, human resource management, social justice, social work, science, theater, music, dance, the fine arts and many others. Call 866-313-1927 or visit www.marygrove.edu.
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Editor's note: Marilyn Nelson's photograph is available at www.Marygrove.Edu/News.