Symposium speakers address writing in response to terrorism

NEW PALTZ — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bernard Stein and poet Robert Polito will speak at a writing symposium Thursday, April 18 at the State University of New York at SUNY New Paltz.

The symposium, titled “Language as Power: Writing in Response to Terrorism,” is an annual event sponsored by the University Writing Board that gives attendees the opportunity to hear the thoughts and insights of renowned writers from diverse backgrounds.

Stein won the Pulitzer Prize in 1998 for editorial writing, and is the co-publisher and editor of the Riversdale Press in the Bronx. He joined the faculty at New Paltz in January as a James H. Ottaway Sr. Professor of Journalism.

Polito is the director of Creative Writing at the New School University.

Both writers discuss the power of language, especially when writing in response to terrorism in the post Sept. 11 world.

In conjunction with the symposium, Polito will host a workshop for about 10 outstanding SUNY New Paltz undergraduate students. The students were identified by various faculty members from across all disciplines as talented writers.

The symposium is sponsored by the University Writing Board, a cross-disciplinary committee aimed at encouraging and supporting the development and maintenance of writing-intensive courses in all academic areas at SUNY New Paltz.

This event begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Coykendall Science Building Auditorium. It is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Patricia Sullivan at (845) 257-3456 or Pauline Uchmanowicz at (845) 257-2755.

Note to editors: A photo of Robert Polito can be downloaded here: www.newpaltz.edu/news/images/polito.html. A photo of Bernard Stein can be downloaded here: www.newpaltz.edu/news/images/stein.html.