Wallace Stegner—historian, novelist, essayist, conserva¬tionist, and educator—is widely known as the "Dean of Western Writers." His literary legacy carries on in his major novels and nonfiction works which are as relevant today as when they were written." /> Wallace Stegner—historian, novelist, essayist, conserva¬tionist, and educator—is widely known as the "Dean of Western Writers." His literary legacy carries on in his major novels and nonfiction works which are as relevant today as when they were written." /> Wallace Stegner—historian, novelist, essayist, conserva¬tionist, and educator—is widely known as the "Dean of Western Writers." His literary legacy carries on in his major novels and nonfiction works which are as relevant today as when they were written." /> Centennial Celebration of Wallace Stegner Culminates with Symposium and Birthday Party – UNews Archive
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Centennial Celebration of Wallace Stegner Culminates with Symposium and Birthday Party

February 10, 2009—Wallace Stegner—historian, novelist, essayist, conserva¬tionist, and educator—is widely known as the “Dean of Western Writers.” His literary legacy carries on in his major novels and nonfiction works which are as relevant today as when they were written.

To celebrate the centennial of Stegner’s birth on February 18, 2009, a symposium and social events will be held to highlight his literary and environmental legacy (please see below for a list of events and other ventures).

The Wallace Stegner Center’s 14th Annual Symposium, “Wallace Stegner: His Life and Legacy,” is the focal event of the centennial celebration. It will bring together a select group of former Stegner fellows, writers, and poets; conservationists; historians; public officials; and others who will explore Stegner’s life and his ongoing influence on subsequent generations of writers, historians, and conservationists. Former Stegner Fellow and author Wendell Berry and former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt will act as keynote speakers.

Schedule of Events:

  • February 18, 2009—Wallace Stegner Birthday Party, The City Library Auditorium, 7 p.m. (Entertainment will include a formal announcement of the Governor’s Proclamation of a Wallace Stegner Day and a screening of KUED TV’s new Stegner documentary)
  • March 5, 2009—Former Stegner Fellow Wendell Berry, a poet, farmer, and activist, will sign books at a reception at Ken Sanders Rare Books, 268 E. 200 S., from 5-6 p.m.  After the reception, at 6:30 p.m., Berry will read at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple, 650 E. South Temple. Both events are free and open to the public.
  • March 6-7, 2009—Stegner Center 14th Annual Symposium, “Wallace Stegner: His Life and Legacy.” University Park Marriott. Symposium speakers include Bruce Babbitt, Will Bagley, Wendell Berry, Carl Brandt, John Daniels, Phil Fradkin, Melody Graulich, Patty Limerick, Bob Steensma, Lynn Stegner, Page Stegner, Debora Threedy, Steve Trimble, Charles Wilkinson, Terry Tempest Williams, and Richard White.

Miscellaneous Ventures

  • Wallace Stegner Fellows Stephen Trimble and Will Bagley are in residence at the University of Utah’s Tanner Humanities Center   
  • Honors Think-tank class, “Wallace Stegner and Western Lands” co-taught by Bob Keiter and Stephen Trimble
  • The University of Utah Press publication of essay, “The Twilight of Self Reliance: Frontier Values in Contemporary America,” by Wallace Stegner
  • Red Butte Press publication of Wallace Stegner’s “To a Young Writer”
  • Tennis-n-Tutoring program in cooperation with the Utah Tennis Association, Liberty Park Tennis Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake, Dan Johnson and Chevron, and other community partners
  • Proclamation of a Wallace Stegner Day statewide by Governor Huntsman
  • Stegner quote installed at The City Library

For more information on Wallace Stegner and the centennial celebration of his birth, please visit:  www.wallacestegner.org