Purchase College Presents Poet & Author Kevin Young
Purchase College-SUNY will present Kevin Young in Conversation on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. The program, which is free and open to the public, will take place at Purchase College in the Humanities Theatre (735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY). As Purchase College’s 2018-19 Roy and Shirley Durst Distinguished Chair in Literature, Mr. Young is featured in a series of events at the college.
A figure of notable stature in the literary world, Kevin Young is the poetry editor at The New Yorker and the Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. He has published 10 books of poetry and two award-winning non-fiction books. His prestigious honors include being named a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, as well as winner of the Graywolf Nonfiction Prize and the PEN Open Book Award. He was also longlisted for the National Book Award and received a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship.
“This is an extremely exciting time for Purchase,” said Mariel Rodney, assistant professor of literature at Purchase College. “Kevin Young is a cultural tour de force. His poems and prose reveal the complexity of an evolving American experience borne through decades of sound and color. We are, in a word, captivated.”
The Durst Distinguished Lecture Series and the Roy and Shirley Durst Distinguished Chair in Literature are funded by the Roy and Shirley Durst Distinguished Chair in Literature Endowment. The mission of the Durst programs is to infuse the experience and intellect of leading writers into the Purchase community, while providing diverse opportunities for these writers to interact with students and influence campus life.
As a small public college, Purchase is proud to introduce students to the level of expertise provided by the Durst Distinguished Lectures, which provide outstanding opportunities for students and local community members to interact with accomplished authors.
In addition to Kevin Young, who will again be featured on April 10, the Durst Distinguished Lecture series will bring other literary luminaries to Westchester this spring. Danielle Evans, author of an acclaimed short story collection, will visit on March 18 and award-winning poet Ilya Kaminsky will appear on March 20.
For more information, please visit: https://www.purchase.edu/academics/school-of-humanities/lectures/durst-distinguished-lectures/ or call 914.251.6550.
About The Purchase PAC
Experience. Something. Real. The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College (The Purchase PAC) is a four-theatre complex on the campus of Purchase College, SUNY, located 30 miles north of New York City in Westchester County, NY. The Purchase PAC is the hub of a creative community that brings together internationally acclaimed artists and rising stars, academic leaders and students of all ages, and community groups and individuals who recognize the power of the performing arts to spark creativity and connection. Professional Presenting Season The Purchase PAC presents a broad range of world-class performances by professional artists, offering music, dance, theatre, family programming, comedy, and film. Music events range from classical to jazz to pop and feature the leading artists of our time as well as emerging stars. As the major regional presenter of dance, programs have included only area appearances of several important traditional, contemporary, and folkloric companies. Theatre presentations reflect a deep commitment to presenting innovative ensembles, with a special focus on theatre for young audiences. The Purchase PAC’s ongoing initiatives also encompass artist partnerships, residency activities, and commissions. We support revitalizing efforts in the community to make the arts more accessible to broad and diverse audiences. Education & Engagement Through our Education and Engagement programs, The Purchase PAC creates opportunities for local K -12 students and multi-generational learners to participate in the artistic process. Purchase College The Purchase PAC is an integral part of the Purchase College community, hosting performances for the Conservatories of Music, Dance, and Theatre Arts. Purchase College students can take advantage of master classes, on-site training, internships, job opportunities, and ticket discounts. Facility Rentals An active facility rental business focuses on providing space and support to high-quality musical recordings, technical rehearsals, and community events.