African-American author at Marquette to talk about his writing Released: March 16, 2006 MILWAUKEE – David Haynes, a critically acclaimed author, will be on the Marquette University campus March 27-29 to talk with elementary-aged children and college students about writing and the stories behind his fiction. Haynes will give a public reading at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, in the Raynor Conference Center of the Raynor Library, 1355 W. Wisconsin Ave. Haynes is one of two individuals to hold the university’s Ralph H. Metcalfe Chair this year.  The chair, established in 1981 in honor of Marquette’s famous alumnus, brings to campus outstanding African-Americans and other minority scholars. Named one of the best young American novelists by Granta magazine in 1996, Haynes is the author of five children's books and six critically acclaimed novels, including The Full Matilda, the multigenerational story of an African-American family which for more than 150 years ran the households of white industrialists, senators and socialites, and Live at Five, a satire of the TV news business. His first novel, Right by My Side, told the story of a young African-American youth attending a mostly white suburban high school; it won the American Library Association’s 1994 Best Book for Young Adults Award as well as the Minnesota Voices Project Award. Several of his short stories have been read on National Public Radio. Haynes, a former sixth grade teacher, is the director of creative writing at Southern Methodist University. As holder of the 2006 Metcalfe Chair, sponsored by Marquette’s English Department and the School of Education, he will: Meet with students in upper level English classes to discuss his novel The Full Matilda, published in 2004, and to discuss adolescent literature; and Meet with students ages 7 through 11 in Marquette’s Hartman Literacy and Learning Center. The second 2006 Metcalfe Chair is Dr. Juan Gilbert, associate professor of computer science and software engineering at Auburn University and president of the Brothers of the Academy. BOTA fosters collaborative research aimed at the promotion and tenure of minority faculty members and the investigation of problems that affect Americans in general and African-Americans in particular. Gilbert will also be on campus March 27-29, meeting with students, faculty, alumni and community leaders. Event Information: Date:        Tuesday, March 28, 2006 Time:        7 p.m. Location:  Raynor Library Conference Room                 1355 W. Wisconsin Ave. Office of Marketing and Communication Contacts Brigid O'Brien Miller Director of University Communication Phone: (414) 288-7445 Send e-mail