02-04-2004
Identifier http://hdl.handle.net/2186/ksl:casetv-6225
Known as one of America's literary giants, Kurt Vonnegut visited the campus in 2004 to meet with Case's College Scholars and to give a public lecture.

Students at Case Western Reserve University will hang with one of America's literary giants when he visits Cleveland for a public lecture, sponsored by the Case College Scholars Program.

Clevelanders can hear Kurt Vonnegut, the author of such books as Slaughterhouse-Five, Cat's Cradle, Welcome to the Monkey House and other best-selling novels, Wednesday, February 4, at 4 p.m. in Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue.

While Piano Player (1952)-his first book-launched Vonnegut's career as a novelist, it would be Slaughterhouse-Five that propelled him to the top of the bestseller's list in 1969. Like many other Vonnegut novels, Slaugherhouse Five is deeply rooted in the author's personal experiences. This best-seller draws upon his nightmarish imprisonment by the Germans, who kept him with other POWs in an underground meat locker during the Allied Forces' bombing that killed 135,000 people in Dresden, Germany.

Felt-tip doodling on his manuscripts evolved into book illustrations for Breakfast of Champions (1973) and other works. He also has become known as an artist and has exhibited work alongside Norman Mailer and Tennessee Williams, both painters and writers. His graphic designs would be the feature of a one-man exhibit at Margo Fiden Gallery in 1983 in New York City.

Case's College Scholars are an active group of students who go beyond getting good grades. With their hands in various campus organizations, they exhibit potential to be among the next generation of leaders in service to their country and communities. Following Vonnegut's talk, they will rap over dinner with the writer and artist when he visits the Scholars House on the Case campus.