Richard Bausch, an English professor in creative writing at The University of Memphis, will be holding a final book reading and signing today in the University Center Auditorium.
The reading, which will be held at 8 p.m., will be Bausch's farewell as he takes his talents to teach at Chapman College in Orange, California.
Bausch, who is the currently the Moss Chair of Excellence, is the author of 11 novels and eight collections of stories.
His works have appeared in numerous publications including Esquire, Playboy and The New Yorker and have received many awards, including two national magazine awards and a Guggenheim Fellowship. One of his novels was also turned into a feature-length movie directed by Bob Balaban, which was released in 1995.
"His quality of work is outstanding and he expects only the best from all of his students," said Cary Holladay, professor of fiction writing and the director of the River City Writers Series.
Through Bausch's efforts, the department's visibility has increased, the number of applicants has risen and the number of students publications has increased as well, Holladay said.
He has also helped to create a partnership between the Fellowship of Southern Writers and the River City Writer Series, which has helped to bring writers to our campus, like Roy Blunt and Randall Keenan, Holladay said.
"It's been wonderful working with him and inspiring . . . I hope there is a big turnout (today), so students can hear him read and thank him for all that he has done here at The University of Memphis," Holladay said.
