5 X Friday: PhD Alumna Mary Petrie

You may have read Mary Petrie's story in The Star Tribune this summer, or on the Today Parents site. Not long after her oldest child, Stryker, graduated high school last spring, he presented Petrie (PhD 2000) with a wrapped gift. Inside was a book proof of a novel Petrie had written more than a decade ago--a novel a New York agency had shopped unsuccessfully, and Petrie had put aside. Her son had proofed, formatted, and readied the book for self-publishing--to thank the Inver Hills CC professor for raising him and to, as Petrie has said, take "your mother's dreams off the shelf." A story that good needs a follow-up, and we did. Read more.

Nuruddin Farah Staged Reading

Novelist Nuruddin Farah, the College of Liberal Arts Winton Chair hosted by English, will receive a public staged reading of his latest play, A Stone Thrown at the Guilty, February 18 and 19 at 7:30 pm. The reading will be directed by University of Minnesota Assistant Professor of Theater Dominic Taylor, featuring a a cast of professional actors. The play is inspired by two historical uprisings in Somalia under British rule, during 1922 and 1939-40. The free event takes place at the Rarig Center Stoll Thrust Theatre; no tickets necessary.