Dr. Maya Angelou Headlines Bergen Community College's Spring Speaker Series on April 21, 2009

Hear Her Perspective on the Dynamics of Race and Class

Spend an afternoon with a legendary literature icon, as Dr. Maya Angelou brings her energy and wisdom to Bergen Community College's Spring Speaker Series on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 1:45 p.m. in the Gymnasium, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus. Dr. Angelou, regarded as a Renaissance woman, has many roles: poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director. She will mesmerize the audience with her unique vision and grace chronicled through her poetry and autobiographies. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Angelou has authored twelve best-selling books, including "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," "A Song Flung Up to Heaven," and "Even the Stars Look Lonesome." In 1981, she was appointed to a lifetime position as the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University. Dr. Angelou also became only the second poet in U.S. history to have the honor of writing and reciting an original work at the 1993 Presidential Inauguration.

She has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for "Best Spoken Word or Non Musical Album" for her poems "On the Pulse of Morning" and "Phenomenal Woman." Dr. Angelou also received a Grammy Award nomination in the "Best Spoken Word Album" category for "Hallelujah! The Welcome Table." She has garnered more than 50 honorary degrees from colleges and universities throughout the world, and continues to travel making guest appearances.

For additional information or to register, please contact Nancy Rozas, Office of Public Relations, at (201) 447-7120 or email nrozas@bergen.edu. When emailing, please include the number of guests and names of those attending.

About Bergen Community College
Bergen Community College is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling more than 15,000 students in Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree programs and certificate programs. More than 10,000 students are enrolled in non-credit, professional courses through the Division of Continuing Education, the Institute for Learning in Retirement, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center, located at 355 Main Street, Hackensack, and Bergen at the Meadowlands, located at 1280 Wall Street West, Lyndhurst. Information about the College is available at www.bergen.edu or by phoning the Welcome Center at (201) 447-7200.