Pulitzer Winner at OSU

By Joel DeVyldere

KristofNicholas Kristof, a New York Times columnist and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, will give a speech in Corvallis next Friday. Kristof, who is widely known and recognized for his revolutionary reports on poverty and the third world, will give the keynote speech at Oregon State University’s Campaign celebration. The Campaign is a fundraising effort by the university, which has succeeded in raising over $1 billion in the last seven years.

Kristof was raised by two Portland State University professors on a farm outside of Yamhill. Since leaving, he has earned degrees from Harvard and Oxford, reported from war zones, and written report from six continents—chiefly for The New York Times.

Kristof and his wife Sheryl Wudunn won a Pulitzer Prize for their reporting on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in China. Kristof’s writing on the genocide in Darfur and sweatshops across the third world has been cited as influential by both philanthropists (Bill Gates) and presidents (Bill Clinton).

Of late, Kristof and Wudunn have focused on systemic sexism in the third world. The couple’s first collaborative title, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, is an appeal for grassroots action against human trafficking, forced prostitution, and violence against women worldwide. Their new book, A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity examines effective strategies for giving and serving to reduce worldwide inequality.

Nicholas Kristof will give a speech on Friday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. at LaSells Stewart Center. This event is free and open to the public.

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