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UC to Host Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Leonard Pitts Jr.
Presentation to Reflect Campus Theme
Written By Rocco Suppa '12, PR Intern
Pitts to speak on "A Single Garment of Destiny"
Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu
Utica, NY (04/05/2012) - “I always knew I was a writer. It was not a matter of deciding, it was a matter of accepting what I already was.” These are the words of Pulitzer Prize winner Leonard Pitts Jr.On Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Utica College Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, Pitts will give a presentation, “A Single Garment of Destiny,” the title of which is taken from a line in a speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. Pitts’ presentation will convey how different cultures need to learn to accept diversity and live as one.
This presentation complements Utica College’s 2011-2012 campus theme of “Many Cultures, One Community” and is part of the college’s ongoing effort to address and promote diversity throughout the campus.
Pitts, a native of Southern California, has worked as columnist, a college professor, a radio producer and a lecturer during his 35-year career. However, Pitts would describe himself first and foremost as a writer.
Pitts has authored critically acclaimed novels such as Before I Forget and Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood. His column, "We'll Go Forward From This Moment," an angry and defiant response to the 9/11 attacks, circulated the globe via the Internet. It generated upwards of 30,000 emails, and has since been set to music, reprinted in poster form, read on television by Regis Philbin and quoted by Congressman Richard Gephardt as part of the Democratic Party's weekly radio address.
Pitts’ work has garnered him multiple awards over the years. In 2001, he received the American Society of Newspaper Editors prestigious ASNE Award for commentary writing. In 2004, Pitts was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. He is a three-time recipient of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Award for Excellence, a five-time recipient of the Atlantic City Press Club’s National Headliners Award and a seven-time recipient of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Green Eyeshade Award.
Pitts previously gave a presentation at the college in 2006, addressing how society can use lessons of the past to improve transracial dialogue.
There is no cost to attend and the event is open to the public, but seating will be limited.
Those planning to attend are asked to park at Con-Med, 525 French Road. From this location, transportation to the campus via shuttle bus will be provided. Doors open to the public at 6:30 p.m.
This event is sponsored by The Observer-Dispatch, the college’s campus theme committee and the provost’s cabinet, with special thanks to the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre, ConMed and the Doc Woods Quintet.
For more information, visit www.utica.edu/pitts or email publicrelations@utica.edu.
About Utica College – Utica College, founded in 1946, is a comprehensive private institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The College, located in upstate central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls over 3,700 students in 37 undergraduate majors, 27 minors, 22 master’s and two doctoral degree programs.
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