Distinguished liberal arts alumnus Sherman Alexie (B.A. '94, American studies) won the National Book Award on November 14 for his autobiographical novel for young people, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
The Seattle author and Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Indian has written 19 books of fiction, poetry, and essays and credits Alex Kuo, professor of English, for giving him a collection of Native American writing that helped persuade him to become a writer.
The Chronicle, College of Liberal Arts, Washington State University