NYT Columnist, Pulitzer Prize Winner Challenges UK Students to 'Change the World'

On Oct. 26, the University of Kentucky International Center will welcome Nicholas Kristof, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and well-known columnist with The New York Times. Kristof’s talk, “A Path Appears: How Students Can Change the World,” is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Gatton College of Business and Economics, and the School of Journalism and Media.

Kristof’s talk will touch on themes that animate the book he co-authored with his wife, Sheryl WuDunn: “A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunities.” Kristof and WuDunn say that the purpose of the book is to “provide a unique and essential narrative about making a difference in the world … and a roadmap to becoming a conscientious global citizen.” Kristof will discuss how global problems can seem overwhelming, but there are practical ways that people — especially young people — can play a role in making the world a better place.

Kristof has lived on four continents, and traveled to more than 140 countries, plus all 50 states, every Chinese province and every main Japanese island, so it is no surprise that his talk will include moving, firsthand stories from around the world.

After attending Harvard University, Kristof studied law at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and then studied Arabic in Cairo and Chinese in Taipei. While he was a foreign correspondent for The New York Times, he reported world-changing events, including China’s Tiananmen Square democracy movement and the genocide in Darfur. In addition to his two Pulitzers, Kristof’s groundbreaking work advocating for human and women’s rights and bringing attention to the plight of the world’s marginalized has been recognized with prominent humanitarian awards, including the Anne Frank Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Price.

UK Associate Provost for Internationalization Sue Roberts believes the address will be an opportunity for the campus and the Lexington community to learn more about the importance of being a globally aware citizen.

“Kristof is recognized as a major voice of conscience,” Roberts said. “His columns are always informative and often provocative, and I am sure I am not the only professor who has used them to prompt discussion of major global issues in my courses. We are so excited that he will be speaking on UK’s campus, and I am really looking forward to seeing students especially take advantage of this opportunity to hear from one of America’s best journalists about how we are connected to the fate of others around the globe.”

Kristof’s public address will take place in the Kincaid Auditorium of the Gatton College of Business and Economics at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. The event is free and open to all UK students, faculty, staff and the Lexington community.