Imagine moving from Africa to Aggieland.
This is the story of NoViolet Bulawayo, author of SMU’s 2014 Common Reading book “We Need New Names.” Similarly to the protagonist of her book, Bulawayo also known as Elizabeth Tshele, left her life in Zimbabwe to attend college in the U.S. Bulawayo earned her bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M-Commerce.;
The Friends of the SMU Libraries is co-hosting a lecture featuring Bulawayo on September 15 at 5 P.M. in the Hughes-Trigg Ballroom. Students are encourage to attend and bring any questions they might have.
“We Need New Names” tells the story of 10-year-old Darling adjusting to her new life in America after leaving her home in Zimbabwae.
Evelyn Day, social sciences Research Libarian at Fondern Library Center was on the Common Reading committee. “We thought it would be interesting,” said Day. “The book tells of universal experiences.”
Many of those who read the book might be surprised to know that Bulawayo attended SMU. The author earned her master’s degree in English in 2007 before attending Cornell University for her MFA.
