Poet Mary Oliver to receive honorary degree, give poetry reading at Marquette University
MILWAUKEE – Renowned poet Mary Oliver, winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, will receive an honorary degree from Marquette University Nov. 12. The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union’s Monaghan Ballroom.
Oliver, described by the New York Times as “far and away, this country’s best-selling poet,” will also read from her poems during the event.
Marquette University celebrates its values and commitment to excellence by awarding honorary degrees to outstanding individuals recognized for their scholarship and exceptional achievements. President Scott R. Pilarz, S. J., also an English professor, invited Oliver in recognition of her outstanding and unique contributions to American literature and culture.
“In addition to putting us in touch with deep emotions and insights — and making us feel more alive — great poetry invites us to reflect and see our lives in new ways,” he said. “Mary Oliver’s poetry has added significantly to our understanding of the human condition and the experience of life.”
At last year’s inauguration of Father Pilarz, Marquette students gave voice to Oliver’s poem, “What I Have Learned So Far,” in a short video.
Oliver's new poetry collection, A Thousand Mornings, will be released on Oct. 11. She will be signing the book immediately following her reading at 5:30 p.m. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
The event is free and open to the public but tickets are required. The Marquette campus community can pick up one ticket per person beginning Sept. 24 in the Alumni Memorial Union Brooks Lounge. Members of the public can pick up two tickets per person beginning Oct. 1. Questions about tickets should be directed to University Special Events at (414) 288-7431 or universityspecialevents@marquette.edu.
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