In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the John Howard Birss Memorial program, we invite you to take in our exhibition on the first floor of the library, scroll through our virtual exhibition, and come listen to our keynote talk. Endowed by Robert Blais (’70), the Birss program has celebrated literature as being a central point of the ethos -- understanding that appreciating important books are an essential part of being a well-rounded person.
The exhibition will open on February 10th, with the keynote talk by author Rick Moody taking place on February 27th in the Mary Tefft White Cultural Center. Moody is the author of six works of fiction, and two memoirs. His short fiction and journalism have been anthologized in Best American Stories 2001, Best American Essays 2004, Best American Essays 2017, Year’s Best Science Fiction #9, and in the Pushcart Prize Anthology.
Newsday describes him as “our anthropologist of desolate landscapes,” John Hawkes as “a writer of meticulous originality.” “One of our best writers,” said a reviewer for the Washington Post. In 2019 he became an Officier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, as awarded by the Republic of France. Moody currently teaches at Tufts University.
Exhibition Opening:
Date: Monday, February 10, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Place: University Library, First Floor
Keynote Talk by Rick Moody:
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM
Place: Mary Tefft White Cultural Center, University Library