Noted scholar, critic and biographer, Arnold Rampersad is set to visit the University Sept. 13-15. As the 2005-06 President’s Visiting Scholar in the Humanities, Rampersad will meet with students, faculty and administrators concerning issues related to sports and humanities during his stay.
Winner of a $300,000 MacArthur Foundation fellowship in 1991, Rampersad is a University alumnus and currently serves as senior associate dean for humanities and Sarah Hart Kimball Professor in the humanities at Stanford University.
Rampersad grew up in Trinidad and came to the United States in 1965. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University in 1967 and 1968, respectively. He then received a doctorate in English and American literature from Harvard University in 1973.
“I think this is a really good opportunity for students to meet with him because he has had this unusual opportunity to work with some of our country’s leading and historical African American athletes,” said Bonnie Blankinship, the marketing and communications manager at the University.
Rampersad’s work has centered on interpreting the African American experience through biography. His award-winning books include “The Art and Imagination of W.E.B. DuBois,” “The Life of Langston Hughes,” “Days of Grace: A Memoir,” co-author with tennis legend Arthur Ashe and “Jackie Robinson: A Biography.”
“I believe that many students have very diverse interests and I think Arnold may be able to offer some tips on finding a way of bringing them together and having your life’s work really be satisfying,” Blankinship said. “I just think he is a great role model for all BGSU students.”
Rampersad’s accomplishments were also recognized by the University in 1992 when he was presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award.