Come writers, come readers, come educators…
The Ernest R. Wish Pulitzer Prize Series
The Master of Science in Written Communication Program regularly hosts Pulitzer Prize winners, thanks to generous support from Ernest R. Wish and the College of Arts & Sciences. Here is the roster of Pulitzer winners who have come to NLU.
February, 2008 Jeff Lyon
How will gene therapy retool human life? Pulitzer Prize winner Jeff Lyon addresses this and other questions when he visits National-Louis University’s Chicago Campus Monday night, February 4, 2008, in a conversation that’s free and open to the public.
Come and meet Jeff Lyon at the 6 P.M. complimentary reception, 122 S. Michigan Avenue, second floor Atrium. Stay for the public conversation beginning at 7 P.M.
Learn about some of the fascinating stories Jeff Lyon has covered in 33 years with the Tribune, as a front-page columnist, political correspondent, science writer, and currently deputy editor of the Chicago Tribune Magazine.
Find out about his amazing series on the science of gene therapy which won the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism in 1987 and served as the basis for two books: Playing God in the Nursery and Altered Fates: Gene Therapy and the Retooling of Human Life.
Speaking as an editor, columnist, teacher of science journalism, and master of elucidating scientific advances for ordinary folks, Jeff Lyon comes just in time to guide us through new developments in stem cell research, gene therapy, and new ethical questions of how to use our expanding power to alter our fates in terms of life and health.
“Jeff Lyon on Altered Fates” is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To save your spot, please call 312-621-3010, email CASWRITERS@nl.edu, or register at the website: http://ce.nl.edu/CASWRITERS.htm
March, 2007 Ira Berkow
Sports columnist and feature writer for The New York Times for 25 years, Ira Berkow shared the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 2001 with his article, “The Minority Quarterback,” later published in his collection of feature stories The Minority Quarterback and Other Lives in Sports. Mr. Berkow is the author of 17 books, including To the Hoop, Red: A Biography of Red Smith and Maxwell Street: Survival in a Bazaar.
In the audience for Mr. Berkow’s appearance were Olympic gold medalists, members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, publishers of some of his many books, sports enthusiasts, members of Chicago Olympic committee, written communication students and other writers, and former NLU board of trustees member Dick Christian, who generously donated 40 copies of Ira Berkow’s memoir to the Master of Science in Written Communication Program.
October, 2006 Lois Wille
Winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, in 1961 and 1994, Lois Wille is considered by many to be among the most outstanding journalists ever to report on Chicago. She spoke in conversation with Pam Widder, distinguished Chicago Tribune business writer. Ms. Wille gave us an overview of the changes in journalism during more than forty years as a reporter and editorial writer, focusing on important changes for women in the field. When she began her career at the Chicago Daily News, she was the only woman regularly covering news. She was the person who broke that glass ceiling impeding women from reaching the heights in their chosen fields. Ms.Wille set a standard of excellence and integrity that inspires writers today.
February, 2006 Julia Keller
As cultural critic for the Chicago Tribune and very recent winner of the Pulitzer for feature writing, Julia Keller drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, many of them interested in our written communication program. Some of the questions at this session were from writers. All of them were from avid readers. Her topic was “Covering Catastrophes and Culture,” since her 2005 Pulitzer was based on her coverage of a tornado that devastated the small Illinois town of Utica. Ms. Keller waxed eloquent on literary giants Capote, Roth, Bellow, Miller, Swift as well as explaining her approach to writing about ordinary people overwhelmed by extraordinary circumstances. Her brilliance made us all feel uplifted.
October, 2005 Ronald Kotulak
Ronald Kotulak has been a published science writer for 40 years. He has a large following, some of whom came with very specific science questions. In the audience of the hundreds of people in attendance were doctors and psychiatrists, dieticians and nurses, as well as those interested in science writing. His talk focused on the Pulitzer material later published as the book Inside the Brain, explaining the way in which environment can influence child development, especially in the first two years of life. The lengthy question and answer period covered medicine, health, dieting, his choice to become a journalist instead of an engineer and the importance of eating fish regularly.
March, 2005 Leon Dash
Given Mr. Dash’s recognition as a foremost reporter writing about what he describes as the black underclass, Leon Dash’s appearance drew 200 people, many of them newcomers to NLU, others specialists in issues relating to serving those living at or below the poverty line, others NLU students and faculty. His lecture on immersion journalism, epitomized by his immersing himself in the lives of one black family to write the series of articles which won him the Pulitzer, was absolutely spellbinding. People didn’t want to leave that night and many kept in touch with him after the event.
October, 2004 Cornelia Grumman
Co-sponsored by the National-Louis University Alumni Board, this is the first in what we hoped would be a series of evenings with Pulitzer Prize winners. Cornelia Grumman met with students before the reception and then mingled with NLU people and members of the public. She then delivered a brilliant talk on social justice and journalism. One of the attendees was Ernest R. Wish. He felt the quality of the program was excellent and offered to help fund the next Pulitzer event. He then generously committed to funding the program for next three years.
We will be bringing other distinguished Pulitzer Prize winning journalists, authors, playwrights and poets in 2007-8.
OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE WRITTEN COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
Mosaic
The annual literary publication just out in its third year is written and edited entirely by students in our graduate writing program. Mosaic is a beautiful showpiece for our master’s program and a strong reinforcement for students who are going through the program. Their writing is showcased attractively, making the publication suitable for them to use when seeking additional freelance assignments or when applying for a writing-related position. Graduate students may now work on Mosaic and receive graduate credit and invaluable publishing experience.To receive a sample of Mosaic, contact Dr. Joanne B. Koch, Director of the M.S. in Written Communication Program, jkoch@nl.edu or call 312-261-3103.
National-Louis University Writers’ Week
Additional information and registration for the 2007 June 18-23 Writers’ Week is at
http://ce.nl.edu/CASWRITERS.htm
Spontaneous comments on the first
STAR-STUDDED WRITERS’ WEEK WORKSHOPS
sponsored by the Master of Science in Written Communication Program
“I am enjoying this class so much…There are so many talented individuals in our class it is simply delightful.” Rita Dunn
“Thanks for a wonderful {nonfiction} presentation.”—Juan Allyon
“So far the workshop is great! I am learning a lot.”—Michelle Zlatanovski
“I really enjoyed your {poetry}workshop, especially the methods of stimulating poetry from both images and brainstorming.”—Shira Koffman
“I very much enjoyed your {young adult writing} workshop last Saturday. I am thinking about all my writing a bit differently as a result of what I learned last Saturday.” Kris Schramm
“These workshops are wonderful. Congratulations on such a successful maiden voyage.”—Kathleen Scott
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Dear Mrs. Billingsley,
Thank you so much for participating in the Writer's Week of National-Louis University. I got so much insight about writing for young adults. Prior to hearing you speak, I was certain I didn't want to have anything to do with Children's or Young Adult writing, however, you changed that for me. Your technique for developing a character and devising a story was genius. I definitely will try my hand at writing something in this area. I can't express the huge impact your presentation has had on me. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
I deeply value your input.
Sincerely,
Robinette Hicks
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STAR-STUDDED SECOND ANNUAL WRITERS’ WEEK WORKSHOPS:
June 18-June 23, 2007
NationalLouisUniversity’s Chicago Campus,
sponsored by the Master of Science in Written Communication Program
of the College of Arts & Sciences
SCHEDULE OF WRITERS’ WEEK WORKSHOPS
Monday, June 18 6:00
Reception: Welcome to Writers’ Week
Refreshments, book signings
6:30-9:00 Workshop on Creating Suspense in Fiction
Kevin Guilfoile, author of Cast of Shadows,
one of the “Best Books of 2005,” a blend of mystery and science fiction.
Tuesday, June 19 6:30-9:30 Workshop on Comedy Writing for Stage & Screen
Tim Kazurinsky, comedy writer and performer for Saturday Night Live,
Screenwriter, About Last Night
Wednesday, June 20 6:30-9:30
Workshop on Addressing Serious Issues in Children’s Books
Deborah Ellis, author of The Breadwinner, children under the Taliban and
I Am A Taxi, kids in the Bolivian cocaine trade
Thursday, June 22 6:30-9:30 Workshop on Writing the Advice Column
and Writing Radio Commentary
Amy Dickinson, author of “Ask Amy,” syndicated to 200 papers and radio commentator for NPR.
Saturday, June 23 9:30-12:30
Workshop on Writing for Children: Picture Books, Chapter Books, Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction
Laurie Lawlor, author of 34 books, including The Two Loves of Will Shakespeare
12:30- 1:30 Box Lunch with authors and participants.
1:30-4:30: Workshop on Writing Short Fiction and Novels Paul McComas, author of Unplugged and Twenty Questions: a short story collection
Additional information and registration for the 2007 June 18-23 Writers’ Week is at
http://ce.nl.edu/CASWRITERS.htm
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| National-Louis University's Master of Science in Written Communication (MSWC) Program offers students with an undergraduate degree in any field a unique variety of courses and personal attention from instructors who are published writers. The MSWC Program includes courses in journalism, screenwriting, feature writing, writing children's books, desktop publishing, editing, writing nonfiction books, novels, humor and short fiction, as well as courses and internships in teaching freshman composition. |
| See our 2006-2007 course offerings. |
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