October 17, 2007

Poet Sterling Plumpp to present works at Purdue University

The performance, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by Purdue's Black Cultural Center and is part of the semester-long exploration of The Myths and Mores that Make up the Blues Tradition.

"Sterling Plumpp is internationally recognized for his blues and jazz poetry and has nurtured talents of young writers for many years," said BCC director Renee Thomas. "We're fortunate to have him visit our campus and share his knowledge, research and enthusiasm for the blues tradition in America."

Plumpp taught English and African-American studies at the University of Illinois beginning in 1971 until his retirement with emeritus status in December 2001. He conducts workshops and continues to teach part time.

He has won numerous awards, including the Carl Sandburg Literary Prize for poetry and the 1999 Richard Wright Literacy Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to literature. He has published 12 volumes of work, including "Velvet Be Bop Kente Cloth," "Blues Narratives" and "Black Rituals."

More information about the Black Cultural Center and additional programs and events not part of the Cultural Arts Series is available online at https://www.purdue.edu/bcc

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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