Leonard Pitts, Jr., winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for commentary, will visit Catawba College on Thursday, February 21, 2008 as the featured speaker for the fifth annual Lilly Colloquium. The Lilly Colloquium is sponsored by Catawba College’s Lilly Center for Vocation and Values.
Pitts’ column runs every Monday and Friday in “The Miami Herald” and is syndicated nationally. “The Salisbury Post” frequently publishes his commentaries, so the journalist’s work is well known in the Catawba College/Rowan County community.
In addition to his regular columns, Pitts is the author of the 1999 book, “Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood.” He is currently gathering information on programs that have proven effective in preventing young black men (especially) from falling into gang activity or other forms of delinquent behavior which may prevent their finding useful and fulfilling adult roles in American society.
Known for thoughtful but uncompromising commentary, Pitts will focus his Catawba remarks on the relationship between ethical values and vocation. Two of his presentations are free and open to the public, one at 11:00 a.m. in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel, and another at 7:30 p.m. in Hedrick Little Theatre in the Robertson College-Community Center. In between, Pitts will attend a luncheon for faculty, staff and invited students, and later meet with selected students prior to the evening presentation.
Catawba’s Lilly Center for Vocation and Values is directed by Dr. Ken Clapp, senior vice president and chaplain. The Center was established in 2003 and funded with a $2 million grant the College received from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
The Lilly Center seeks to help students and members of the larger community determine values for their lives and allow those values to guide decisions relative to the vocations they choose and the priorities they set. Critical to this process is the recognition that as the children of God we are called to use the talents and gifts that have been provided not only to for the realization of our own capabilities but in service to others and in making the world a better place.
Other notable speakers who have participated in the annual Lilly Colloquiums include Martin Marty, David Borenstein, Sharon Parks and Mackey Austin.
For more details on Pitts’ appearance at Catawba, contact Dr. Clapp or his assistant, Lucretia Hughes at 704-637-4446.
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