‘Life of Pi’ author to appear at MSU

By PATRICK HILL/Montana State News

Yann Martel, author of best seller “Life of Pi” will be the guest speaker for Montana State University’s 2013 convocation on Sept. 5.  Martel plans to hold a master class and a book signing, immediately after.

Martel’s visit will help to jumpstart MSU’s Year of Engaged Leadership in which a variety of activities, lectures and workshops on campus will help to encourage and inspire both Montana State University students and faculty prepare to become better leaders for future generations.

Spending 69 weeks on the New York Times’ Bestseller list, “Life of Pi” will also be a feature on this year’s MSU summer reading list.  It has received many awards including the 2002 Man Booker Prize of 50,000 pounds.  Martel’s book was also made into the 2012 film of the same name, grossing nearly $22.5 million dollars to date and earning a number of Academy Award nominations.

Each activity will focus on specific characteristics of leadership.

In a prepared statement on the Montana State University website, MSU President Waded Cruzado said, “Yann Martel is a compelling storyteller and an inspirational speaker; an excellent choice to launch our freshman students into their journey into university academic life.”

Martel’s convocation will mark the seventh such event hosted by Montana State University.  Last year’s convocation, hosted by Condoleezza Rice saw over 8,000 participants.

Martel is the author of seven books, including his newest, “101 Letters to a Prime Minister:  The Complete Letters to Stephen Harper” in which Martel chronicles and compiles his list of books and notes that he sent to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

-Edited by Madeleine Sherrier