Poet Li-Young Lee to present Goshen College's S.A. Yoder Lecture Oct. 28

GOSHEN, Ind. -- Award-winning Chinese-American poet Li-Young Lee will present two public presentations at Goshen College Oct. 28 and 29 as the 2003-04 S.A. Yoder lecturer. On Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Rieth Recital Hall, Lee will read his poetry, with a reception and book signing to follow. On Oct. 29 at 10 a.m., Lee will speak during convocation at 10 a.m. in the Church-Chapel. The public is warmly invited to both events, free of charge.

A frequently anthologized and award-winning poet, Lee writes from the immigrant's experience in the United States, exploring issues of language, identity, family and faith with rich imagery and a sensitive spirit.

Lee's most recent collection of poetry is Book of My Nights (2001). His previous work includes a memoir titled The Winged Seed: A Remembrance (1995), which received an American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation. His two other collections of poetry are The City in Which I Love You (1991) and Rose (1986).

Lee was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, to Chinese parents. His family settled in the United States after leaving Indonesia in 1959 due to anti-Chinese sentiment. He attended the universities of Pittsburgh and Arizona and the State University of New York at Brockport. He has taught at several universities, including Northwestern and the University of Iowa. He now lives and works in Chicago, Ill.

Lee's honors include fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Lannan Foundation and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. In 1988, he was the recipient of a Writer's Award from the Mrs. Giles Whiting Foundation.

The Goshen College English department is sponsoring these events.

Goshen College is a national liberal arts college known for leadership in international education, service-learning and peace and justice issues in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program and exceptional educational value, GC serves about 1,000 students in both traditional and nontraditional programs. The college earned citations of excellence in U.S. News & World Report and Barron's Best Buys in Higher Education. For more information, visit www.goshen.edu.

Editors: For information, contact Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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