An organization in the English department is working to bring popular authors to campus to discuss their works.
Judy Kahn, an English instructor and coordinator of Readers and Writers, said the group was founded in 1993 amid budget problems in the English department.
Kahn said at the time, the group was formed as a fundraising organization made up of English professors and community members.
“When faculty members donated time and effort in lectures for no fee, and as outside readers traveling nearby offered lectures at below-cost fees, the university’s literary presence expanded,” the Readers and Writers Web site said.
Kahn said the group was formed “as a basis of connection and fundraising.”
Kahn said the group was founded by a group of English professors and Baton Rouge residents, including Panthea Reid, John Fischer, Charles Prosser and Julie Hamilton.
James Wilcox, Readers and Writers director, said the program provides a bridge between the Baton Rouge community and the English department.
“It brings in dynamic, interesting authors from all over the country,” Wilcox said. “It’s good to have these kinds of people around and make them available to students and faculty.”
Kahn said the money has provided more technology and equipment in the English department, financed renovations and sent faculty members to conferences.
Kahn said the group brings in famous writers to give a reading of their work.
“Our mission is to encourage literary exchanges between the University and the community by providing a forum for readings and lively discussions of fiction, poetry and LSU scholarship,” the Web site said.
Author John Ed Bradley will be the group’s next speaker this Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Design Building. Bradley has been a contributor to Sports Illustrated and will be reading from his novel, “Restoration.”
In addition, the group will have a conference about Ernest Hemingway and United States poet laureate Billy Collins.
Kahn said the money raised is used to continue the group and get more popular writers to come to the University.
“Since the budget crisis is not as serious, we use the money to get bigger writers,” Kahn said.