News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Steve Christensen
LUMA
312.915.6164
schris6@luc.edu

CHICAGO, November 6, 2009 - Uwem Akpan, S.J., #1 New York Times best-selling author of Say You're One of Them, the current Oprah's Book Club selection, will visit Loyola University Chicago on Tuesday, November 10, at 2:30 p.m., to discuss his book, the intersection of spirituality and art, and his life as a Jesuit priest and author. Father Akpan's lecture, which will be preceded by a short reading from his book, is free and open to the public, and will be held in the Galvin Auditorium, on the University's Lake Shore Campus (1032 West Sheridan Road). 

Father Akpan's appearance at Loyola will take place one day after his participation in a live, in-depth discussion about his book with Oprah Winfrey that will be simulcast on Oprah.com and CNN.com.

Following Father Akpan's public lecture, all attendees are invited to a reception in the lobby area located outside the Galvin Auditorium. For more information on Father Akpan or Say You're One of Them, visit www.uwemakpan.com.

About the Book
In Say You're One of Them, published September 18, 2009, each story in this jubilantly acclaimed collection pays testament to the wisdom and resilience of children, even in the face of the most agonizing circumstances. A family living in a makeshift shanty in urban Kenya scurries to find gifts of any kind for the impending Christmas holiday. A Rwandan girl relates her family's struggles to maintain a facade of normalcy amid unspeakable acts. A young brother and sister cope with their uncle's attempt to sell them into slavery. Aboard a bus filled with refugees-a microcosm of today's Africa-a Muslim boy summons his faith to bear a treacherous ride across Nigeria. Through the eyes of childhood friends the emotional toll of religious conflict in Ethiopia becomes viscerally clear.

About the Author
Uwem Akpan, S.J., was born in Ikot Akpan Eda in southern Nigeria. After studying philosophy and English at Creighton and Gonzaga universities, he studied theology for three years at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 2003 and received his MFA in creative writing from the University of Michigan in 2006. "My Parents' Bedroom," a story from his short-story collection, Say You're One of Them, was one of five short stories by African writers chosen as a finalist for The Caine Prize for African Writing 2007.

About Loyola University Chicago
Committed to preparing people to lead extraordinary lives, Loyola University Chicago, founded in 1870, is the nation's largest Jesuit, Catholic university. Enrollment is more than 15,800 students, which includes more than 10,000 undergraduates hailing from all 50 states and 82 countries. The University has four campuses: three in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy. Loyola also serves as the U.S. host university to The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies in Beijing, China. Loyola's ten schools and colleges include arts and sciences, business administration, communication, education, graduate studies, law, medicine, nursing, continuing and professional studies, and social work. Loyola offers 71 undergraduate majors, 71 undergraduate minors, 85 master's degrees, and 31 doctoral degrees. Loyola is consistently ranked among the "top national universities" by U.S.News & World Report, and the University was named a "best value" in their 2010 rankings. In addition, Loyola is among a select group of universities recognized for community service and engagement by prestigious national organizations like the Carnegie Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service. For more information about Loyola, please visitLUC.edu.

About LUMA
Opened in 2005, the Loyola University Museum of Art is dedicated to exploring, promoting, and understanding art and artistic expression that illuminates the enduring spiritual questions of all cultures and societies. As a museum with an interest in education and educational programming, LUMA reflects the University’s Jesuit mission and is dedicated to helping people of all creeds explore the roots of their faith and spiritual quests. Located at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus, the museum occupies the first three floors of the University’s historic Lewis Towers on Chicago’s famous Michigan Avenue. For more information, visit the museum’s website at LUC.edu/luma.

Art illuminating the spirit!

-LUMA-