Regis College announces that poet and professor at Virginia Tech, Professor Nikki Giovanni will serve as the inaugural speaker of the Elliott Lectures: A Liberal Arts Lecture Series. Prof. Giovanni’s poetry has elevated African American awareness in the arts through the Black Arts Movement. The lecture is scheduled for April 18, on the Regis College campus from 6 to 8 p.m. Free tickets may be reserved here.
The general public and media are invited to attend the lecture.
The series seeks to provide insight and exposure to a broad range of topics and ideas in the liberal arts and offer different perspectives on pressing issues. The lecture series was made possible through a generous $1.2 million bequest from the estate of the late and former Regis English Professor Patricia D. Elliott, PhD.
"The university community is proud that Professor Nikki Giovanni will serve as the inaugural lecturer, an opportunity for Regis students and the campus community to engage with a great thinker of our time.” said Regis President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN. "As a university dedicated to the formation of the whole person, Regis fosters the development of each students' character and confidence as they prepare for a meaningful career and life through an array of intellectual opportunities."
Giovanni is a highly acclaimed American poet known globally. She began her career with self-published works, "Black Feeling Black Talk" (1968) and "Black Judgement.” Giovanni became a prominent figure during the Black Arts Movement through her appearances on "SOUL!!" and extensive lecture tours. In 1971, her autobiographical work, "Gemini," was a National Book Award finalist.
Joining Virginia Tech in 1987, Prof. Giovanni became a University Distinguished Professor in 1999, continuing to publish essays, children's books, and numerous volumes of poetry, including "Make Me Rain" (2020). Despite facing personal challenges, including breast cancer, Giovanni, at 74, remains an influential figure, recognized with awards such as the Langston Hughes Medal and the Carl Sandburg Literary Award. Her dedication to teaching, writing, and publishing persists, with her latest work, "A Good Cry," showcasing her enduring impact.
