To celebrate the 80th birthday of William H. Gass, Ph.D., the David May Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in the Humanities and founder of the International Writers Center, both in Arts & Sciences, University Libraries is hosting two events Oct. 9.
“A Celebration of William Gass” is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Olin Library’s Whispers Café. The event will feature readings by novelist Ethan Bumas, literary critic Marc Chenetier, poet Heather McHugh and novelist Joanna Scott.
Other events include comments by Gass’ University colleagues, Chancellor Emeritus William H. Danforth; Richard “Red” Watson, Ph.D., emeritus professor of philosophy in Arts & Sciences; and Shirley K. Baker, dean of University Libraries and vice chancellor for information technology.
A presentation of a volume of essays by various writers, in honor of Gass’ 80th birthday, will also be made.
A reception and viewing of a collaborative Gass/Eastman exhibition will follow the program in the Ginkgo Reading Room on Level 1 of the library. The event will feature the work of frequent collaborators Gass and photographer Michael Eastman.
On display since Sept. 20, this reception comes shortly before the exhibition’s Oct. 11 closing.
Books by Gass and Eastman will be on sale during the reception.
The events are free and open to the public.