Good evening.
The University of Arizona sits on the traditional Homeland
of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the adopted Homeland
of the Pascua Yaqui nation.
For hundreds of generations they have studied the lands
in this region.
It is thus an institutional responsibility
to recognize and acknowledge these peoples,
and their languages, cultures, and histories all of which
have woven into the fabric of our campus community
[CLAPPING]
My Name is Alain-Philippe Durand.
And I am the Dean of the College of Humanities.
Thanks for joining us at the tenth annual Tucson Humanities
Festival.
Ten years ago the College of Humanities
started Humanities Week.
Through community outreach, engagement,
and incredible speakers, it has grown into the Tucson
Humanities Festival.
And now encompasses the entire month of October.
This year the theme for the festival is Next.
And we are asking, what's next for the Humanities?
How can the lessons of the past shape tomorrow?
Who are tomorrow's leaders, innovators, communicators,
thinkers?
I wish to thank our Poetry Center and its director
extraordinaire Tyler Meier for inviting, yes--
[CLAPPING]
For inviting our acclaimed guest speaker
Sandra Cisneros here tonight.
The Poetry Center is the centerpiece
of the College of Humanities and an internationally renowned
literary institution with an outstanding staff.
Indeed, I would like to acknowledge our world class
staff and faculty, and celebrate with you some fantastic news.
We just found out yesterday that according to the US News
and World Report best global universities rankings
in the category of Arts and Humanities,
the University of Arizona is ranked
30th in the world and number nine
among US public institutions.
[CHEERING]
Tonight's reading is a celebration
of an inspirational and beloved writer,
and an expression of the values of the College of Humanities,
and the University of Arizona's commitment
as an Hispanic serving institution.
A few young guests here tonight share
Sandra Cisneros drive to tell stories of their own.
The Poetry Center's Writing the Community is a school based
creative writing program for k-12 students
with the goals of developing creative and critical thinking
skills.
Some of their work is on display by Sandra's book signing table
for you to look, to enjoy after the reading.
I would like to thank the other sponsors who
helped make tonight's event possible,
Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, our Humanities Seminars
Program, Chicanos Por La Causa, an Arizona humanities.
[CLAPPING]
Chicanos Por La Causa is one of the largest Hispanic nonprofits
in the country promoting stronger and healthier
communities throughout the southwestern United States.
Arizona Humanities is the Arizona chapter of the National
Endowment for the Humanities.
I have the pleasure of serving on the board of directors,
so I am very familiar with Arizona Humanities.
We give grants to schools, libraries, and museums
across the state, which help us bring outstanding cultural
programs to you, like our reading
this evening with Sandra Cisneros.
You can find out more at the table in the lobby
or go to the website azhumanities.org.
We have here, tonight, Arizona humanities, Bookmans,
Chicanos Por La Causa, Humanities Seminars,
and Poetry Centers board members and staff.
May I ask them to please stand so they can be acknowledge?
[CLAPPING]
Thank you very much.
It is now my pleasure to introduce Manuel Muñoz,
who will introduce our esteemed speaker,
and then lead the discussion after.
They will also be a book signing afterward, after the event.
And you will be receiving more information a little bit on.
Manuel Muñoz is the author of the novel,
What You See In The Dark, and two short story collections.
He's the recipient of fellowships
from the National Endowment for the Arts
and the New York Foundation for the Arts.
He has been recognized with several awards
and an appearance in this year's Best American Short Stories.
One of his first encounters with Sandra Cisneros work
was via an imitation exercise at UC Santa Cruz Equal Opportunity
Program for Central Valley High school students
in the summer of 1988.
Mr. Muñoz is currently the director of the University
of Arizona's Creative Writing Program.
Please welcome Manuel Muñoz.
[CHEERING]