Administration

Communications

Author of Deep end of the Ocean to deliver Kraus Lecture at C-SC
Monday, March 02, 2009

CANTON, MO. – Best-selling novelist Jacquelyn Mitchard will deliver “An Evening with Jacquelyn Mitchard” as the Culver-Stockton College’s annual Kraus Lecture on Wednesday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Merillat Recital Hall.

The Kraus Lecture was established by Joe W. Kraus in memory of his wife, Kathryn Elizabeth (Betsy) Curtright Kraus. Joe Kraus earned an undergraduate degree in English from C-SC in 1938 and an undergraduate degree in library science in 1939. Betsy Kraus attended C-SC from 1935-1937.

Mitchard is a native of Chicago, Ill. She studied at the University of Illinois, and never took a writing course beyond her freshman elective creative writing class.

Mitchard formally authored a syndicated column in the Quincy Herald Whig, but is best known as the author of the novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, which was the first selection in Oprah Winfrey’s book club and which was made into a film starring Michelle Pfeiffer. The Deep End of the Ocean was named by USA Today as one of the most influential books of the past 25 years. Mitchard has written seven other novels for adults, four novels for young adults, and three books for children.

All of Mitchard’s novels have been bestsellers. They include The Most Wanted, A Theory of Relativity, Twelve Times Blessed, Cage of Stars. Critics have praised them for “their authentic humanity and skillful command of story. Readers identify because they see reflected, in her characters – however extreme their circumstances – emotions they already understand.”

Mitchard is currently completing her next adult novel and continues as a contributing editor for the Disney parenting magazine Wondertime as well as writing pieces for More, Parade, and Real Simple magazines. She also writes a syndicated column for Tribune Media, which appears in newspapers around the nation.

The Kraus Lecture is a part of C-SC’s Academic and Cultural Events program and is free and open to the public. During the day on March 25, Mitchard also will be delivering the keynote address at C-SC’s annual Young Writers Workshop for high school students.