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Maya Angelou to speak at commencement 2002
Robin Kaler,
assistant chancellor for public affairs
(217) 333-5010
11/9/01
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Maya
Angelou, an internationally acclaimed author and the recipient of numerous
honors, will be the featured speaker during commencement ceremonies
at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on May 12, 2002.
The Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University,
Angelou is the author of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
(1970) and 10 other best-selling books, including, most recently, "Even
the Stars Look Lonesome" (1997).
She is scheduled to speak at the 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. commencement
ceremonies at Assembly Hall, 1800 S. First St., Champaign.
Her addresses will be the capstone of a series of academic and cultural
events throughout the spring semester that will explore the human experience
through coursework in a variety of disciplines; seminars built on the
writer’s work; performances and symposia; and other events.
Angelou was the recipient of the Langston Hughes Award (1991), a distinguished
merit citation from the National Conference of Christians and Jews (1997)
and the International Civil and Human Rights Award (1998). She won a
Grammy Award for best spoken word album (1994) and was named Essence
magazine’s woman of the year (1992).
A poet, playwright, producer, director and civil-rights leader, Angelou
is the author of "Gather Together in My Name" (1974), "The
Heart of a Woman" (1981), "On the Pulse of Morning" (1993),
"Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now" (1993) and
"A Brave and Startling Truth" (1995).
