 |
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of The New York Times |
Humorist Gail Collins of The New York Times Delivers the 2008 Alex Krieger ’95 Memorial Lecture
The sounds of laughter filled Students’ Building even more than usual last month during a lecture by New York Times op-ed columnist Gail Collins. The first woman ever to be named editor of the paper’s editorial page, Collins is known for her ability to deliver newsworthy information infused with a healthy dose of wit and sarcasm.
Collins is best known for her colorful political pieces. Recent articles have taken a closer look at the many quirks of the presidential candidates and responded to readers’ questions about voting. She is also the author of Scorpion Tongues: Gossip, Celebrity, and American Politics; The Millennium Book (co-authored with her husband Dan Collins of CBS), and, most recently, America’s Women: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines.
The Alex Krieger ’95 Memorial Lecture is an annual event that honors a Vassar student who died in a car accident during his freshman year. His parents established the series as a tribute to their son’s love of literature containing sharp social commentary and humor. Other recent speakers have included Sarah Vowell, David Sedaris, and Michael Chabon.