Photo: Emily Paine

An illustrious writing career often begins with rejection. For acclaimed authors like Colson Whitehead (above), setbacks can lead to self-doubt, but persistence can pave the way to success. Whitehead was named the 14th Janet Weis Fellow in Contemporary Letters at Bucknell University, a biennial award that honors top achievement in writing. During his Sept. 9 campus visit, he shared his journey with students in a session moderated by Professor Joe Scapellato, English, and during a public speech at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts.

Whitehead recounted how his first book’s rejection inspired him to persevere. “I wanted to be a writer from an early age,” he said. “But I really became a writer once my first book didn’t sell.” He stressed believing in one’s work and drawing inspiration from diverse sources. His novel The Underground Railroad, conceived in 2000, was published in 2016, earning him both a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize. Whitehead is now working on a crime trilogy set in Harlem, showing his commitment to exploring new genres.

Photo: James T. Giffen

Yamiche Alcindor, NBC News Washington correspondent (right), kicked off Bucknell’s 2024-25 Forum series, themed “World in Transition.” In her address Sept. 24, Alcindor emphasized the essential qualities of a good journalist: courage, a commitment to truth, and, above all, a profound curiosity. Reflecting on her childhood, she recalled her favorite question: “Why?” —a simple inquiry that sparked a lifelong quest for understanding.

Alcindor’s career includes roles as the White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour and anchor of PBS’ Washington Week, as well as reporting for The New York Times and USA Today.