UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State University Libraries will present a “Learn at Lunch” panel discussion on the Pulitzer Prize at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 17 — a revised date from the original announcement — in the Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, on the University Park campus.
Five panelists will focus the hourlong discussion on the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, its centennial celebration, and the exhibit “100 Years of the Pulitzer: Celebrating our Humanity.” Following the discussion, the panelists will guide a tour of the exhibit in the Diversity Studies Room, located on the second floor of Pattee Library. The “Learn at Lunch” talk and docent tour are free and open to the public, and walk-in guests are welcome.
All of the panelists are affiliated with the University Libraries and include: Jeff Knapp, Larry and Ellen Foster Communications Librarian; Jose Guerrero, diversity resident librarian; Alia Gant, diversity resident librarian; Pembroke Childs, information resources and services support specialist; and Nonny Schlotzhauer, acting head, Social Sciences Library.
The docent tour following the discussion will provide a review of the “100 Years of the Pulitzer” exhibit materials, which include more than 50 Pulitzer-winning display items. The exhibit showcases a range of Pulitzer recipients, such as Lin-Manuel Miranda, winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for drama for the Broadway hit “Hamilton,” as well as lesser-known works and authors. Laura Elizabeth Richards and Maude Howe Elliott, who were jointly awarded a 1917 Pulitzer for their biography of their mother, Julia Ward Howe — abolitionist, suffragist and writer of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” — are among the early winners the exhibit highlights.
Knapp, who first initiated the University Libraries’ involvement in the Pulitzer centennial celebration, helped curate the University Libraries’ “100 Years of the Pulitzer: Celebrating our Humanity” exhibit and solely curated the “100 Years of the Pulitzer: Celebrating a Pennsylvania Journalist” exhibit. For the “Learn at Lunch” presentation, Knapp will talk about the history of this prestigious award for journalism and the arts, as well as provide a brief overview of Joseph Pulitzer, the Hungarian-American newspaper magnate who founded the prize.
In 2012, panelist Schlotzhauer served as a jurist for the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction and will share his experience on the Pulitzer selection process and how the Nominating Juries and Pulitzer Prize Board determines winners. The Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction was first awarded in 1962, and is one of seven awarded in the areas of letters, drama and music.
Guerrero, another curator of the “100 Years of the Pulitzer: Celebrating our Humanity” exhibit, will shed light on Pulitzer Prize winners who have been historically excluded from prize consideration. Jazz musician Duke Ellington was passed over for a special Pulitzer award in 1965 due to the terms of the music award at that particular time. He was finally honored posthumously with a special citation for his life’s work.
Childs curated the Libraries’ Music Media Center companion exhibit, “100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating our Musicality,” which highlights Pulitzer winners for music and award-winning scores and recordings in the Libraries’ collections. Child’s will expand on her process of selecting materials that showcase Pulitzer winners who have significantly impacted American art and culture and championed the cause of social equality and democracy.
Gant, who also served as a curator for the “100 Years of the Pulitzer: Celebrating our Humanity” exhibit, will focus her portion of the Pulitzer discussion on an overview of Omeka, an open-source web-publishing platform. Gant will share her thoughts and best practices on using Omeka to manage web content, collections information, and archival digital records.
“100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating our Humanity” is available for viewing through Aug. 30, and the complementary exhibit, “100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating our Musicality,” will be on display through May 7. Operating hours for Pattee Library vary day to day, so consult the online list of hours for the most up-to-date information.
For more information on this event, or for questions about accommodations or the physical access provided, contact Knapp at 814-867-6051 or jak47@psu.edu in advance of your visit.