Children’s author explores liberty and justice for Convocation event

Groundbreaking Korean-American author Linda Sue Park to present as part of Convocation Series

Fredonia, N.Y. — October 17, 2008 — Award-winning children’s author Linda Sue Park will present, “Writing to Explore Liberty and Justice for All,” on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in room 209 of McEwen Hall. The event, which is part of SUNY Fredonia’s 2008-09 Convocation Series, is free and open to students, faculty and the general public.

The event is sponsored by the Convocation Committee, the College of Education, the Department of English and the Fredonia Student Association. Prior to the address, a book signing and reception will occur in the 2nd floor lobby of McEwen Hall.

Linda Sue Park began writing when she was in kindergarten and published her first poem at the age of nine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Stanford University and obtained advanced degrees in literature from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and from the University of London.

Park went on to become a journalist, food critic, and English teacher, but did not begin writing fiction until her mid-30s, when she began to seriously explore her Korean heritage. Her research evoked fictional writing of Korean history and culture.

In 2002, Park was awarded the Newbery Medal for her third novel, “A Single Shard.” Awarded by the American Library Association, the Newbery Medal is given to the most distinguished American children's book published each year. Park is the first Korean American to take home the honor.

Park has published several other novels, as well as picture books, poems and short stories, including “When My Name was Keoko,” “Project Mulberry,” “Tap Dancing on the Roof,” and “Bee-Bim Bop!”

Ms. Park’s presentation will be of particular significance to area teachers, librarians, parents, and college students who are interested in young adult and children’s literature.

Several additional Convocation events, based on the year’s theme, “Human Rights: With Liberty and Justice for All?” are planned throughout the 2008-09 academic year. All will be free and open to the public, including:

• “Educational Access in the Development of the Indigenous Rights Movement in Latin America,” a presentation by Dr. Eric Meringer of the SUNY Fredonia Department of History, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from noon-12:50 p.m. in Williams Center Room S-104. The event is sponsored by the university’s Brown Bag Lecture Series. For more information, contact Dr. Natalie Gerber at 716-673-3855 or Natalie.Gerber@fredonia.edu. 
• “Sharon Katz and the Peace Train,” a performance by Grammy award-winning social justice musical group, at a date, time, and location to be announced in the future. The event is sponsored by the Music Therapy Club and the Music Therapy department of the School of Music. For more information, contact Dr. Joni Milgram-Luterman at 716-673-4648 or Joni.Milgram-Luterman@fredonia.edu. 
• At the River I Stand: Martin Luther King’s Last Crusade,” a presentation by award-winning filmmaker and author Allison Graham, at a date, time, and location to be announced in the future. The event is sponsored by the Convocation Committee. For more information, contact Dr. Linda Brigance at 716-673-3826 or Brigance@fredonia.edu. 
• “Water: The Parched Human Right,” a presentation at a date, time, and location to be announced, sponsored by the SUNY Fredonia Student Chapter of Amnesty International. For more information, contact Nate Odden at odde6542@fredonia.edu.