Native American writer Erdrich ‘76 to deliver graduation address
By Rob Szypko
Published on Thursday, April 23, 2009
Web Update
Acclaimed Native American writer Louise Erdrich '76 has been selected to give the main address at Dartmouth's 2009 Commencement exercises on June 14, the College announced today. Erdrich was a finalist for this year's Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her 2008 novel, "The Plague of Doves."
A member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Erdrich was in the first coeducational class at the College. She has since gone on to write 14 books that have won a variety of national and international awards. One of Erdrich's daughters, Aza, is a member of the Class of 2011.
Erdrich is also one of seven individuals -- including Boston Celtics star Bill Russell and retired U.S. Army Gen. John Abizaid -- slated to receive an honorary degree at Commencement.