BOONE—Luis J. Rodriguez, the official Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, will read from his work April 28 at Appalachian State University. His presentation is sponsored by the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series.

Rodriguez will present a talk for area middle school youth April 28 beginning at 3:30 p.m. in Blue Ridge Ballroom. The public also is invited to attend. His reading will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the student union’s Blue Ridge Ballroom. Books will be available for sale and signing.

His campus visit is co-sponsored by Appalachian’s Diversity Speakers Series, which is a part of the Office of Multicultural Student Development. Appalachian’s GEAR UP office has arranged for middle school groups from Wilkes, Ashe and Yadkin counties to attend the afternoon talk for youth. Western Youth Network will also bring students from its two Watauga County sites.

In addition to writing poetry, Rodriguez is also a novelist, memoirist, short story writer, and children’s book writer, as well as a community and urban peace activist, mentor, healer, youth and arts advocate.

He has published 15 books, including the best-selling memoir “Always Running, La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.” His latest book is the sequel “It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions, and Healing.” His poetry collections include “The Concrete River,” “Poems Across the Pavement,” and “Trochemoche.”

About the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series

The visiting writers series is named in honor of Hughlene Bostian Frank (class of 1968). Frank is a member of the Appalachian State University Foundation Board, a 2013 Appalachian Alumni Association Outstanding Service award recipient, past member of Appalachian’s Board of Trustees and generous supporter of the university.

The 2015-16 Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series is supported by the Appalachian State University Foundation, Appalachian’s Office of Academic Affairs, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of English, the Office of Multicultural Student Development, the university’s Common Reading Program, the University Bookstore, Belk Library and Information Commons and the Appalachian Journal.

Business sponsors are The Gideon Ridge Inn, the New Public House & Hotel and The Red Onion Restaurant. Community sponsors include John and the late Margie Idol, Paul and Judy Tobin, Alice Naylor and Thomas McLaughlin.

Parking is free on campus after 5 p.m. The Library Parking Deck on College Street, which opens to the general public after 5:30 p.m., is recommended. To reach Plemmons Student Union, cross College Street and follow the walkway between the chiller plant and the University Bookstore, passing the University Post Office and entering Plemmons Student Union on the second floor. For further parking information or a map, see http://parking.appstate.edu or call the Parking and Traffic Office 828-262-2878.

For further information on the spring season, call 828-262-2871 or see http://visitingwriters.appstate.edu. To receive Appalachian’s “This Week in the Arts” announcements by email, contact arts-events@appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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