The impact and value of diversity will be in the spotlight when acclaimed author and Pulitzer Prize nominee Dr. Maya Angelou comes to ETSU March 21.
“Dr. Angelou is really one of the shining lights in arts and literature,” said Dr. Joe Sherlin, dean of students and adviser to the Diversity Events Committee. “We just hope folks will come out to hear this wonderful person because you don’t get many opportunities to hear a message from a person who is this accomplished and has done so many great things across both the arts and civil rights.”
Raised in segregated rural Arkansas, Angelou has written 12 best-selling books, including her best-selling autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, says Angelou’s press release.
“She’s one of the first big writers we’ve had,” said Dr. Michael Cody, assistant chair in the Department of English. “It’s exciting to have someone like that come here.”
Angelou, civil rights activist, poet, historian, playwright and actress, is reputed to be “dynamic and very engaging” at her lectures, Sherlin said.
Her appearance has caught the attention of many students. “I’m more excited about her [Angelou] coming then I was for Ludacris,” said Toni Edwards, a junior in the ETSU nursing program. “I expect she’ll bring a message of hope. She talks about things that are sad, but she talks about how to make things better, as well.”
Angelou’s lecture will include “the value of diversity in all forms and its contribution to our lives as well as growth and realizing your potential,” Sherlin said.
This positive message was one of the key reasons for bringing her to the ETSU campus, he said. “We looked at a number of speakers, but she’s the one that we thought would have a great appeal and would be neat for the campus and good for the campus and community,” Sherlin said.
Angelou, only the second poet in U.S. history to recite her own work at a presidential inauguration, according to her press release, was secured to lecture through the Diversity Events Committee.
The majority of funds were secured through 606 funding, funds designated by ETSU’s Student Government Association for student activities.
606 funding contributed $33,000 of the $37,500 charged as the speaking fee for Angelou. Co-sponsors are the Department of English, Women’s Resource Center, Women’s Studies and the Black Affairs Association.
“Maya Angelou has been a name discussed for a number of years as a possibility,” Sherlin said. “As a result of . new monies available . we were able to make it happen this year.”
The influx of funds due to increased student activity fees has created opportunities for a variety of events, he said. “Its not just concerts,” Sherlin said. “We’re able to bring in speakers and educational programs and a lot of different activities that were difficult to get prior to that funding.”
Since the majority of funds come from student fees, Sherlin said, students tickets will be free prior to the event, while faculty and staff advance tickets are $5. The general public may purchase advance tickets for $10. Tickets will also be available the day of the event for $15.
Tickets are available March 13 to March 15 in the first floor information both in the Culp Center from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Students with a current ETSU ID may receive one free ticket at this time.
Faculty and staff may purchase their first ticket for $5 March 16-17 and March 20. Any additional tickets as well as tickets purchased by the public can be bought for $10 on March 16-17 and March 20. Tickets will be sold at the door for $15 the day of the event. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Author