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Dr. Tess Onwueme Receives Prestigious Award from African Literature Association
Source: www.uwec.edu

EAU CLAIRE — Dr. Tess Onwueme, distinguished professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, has received the African Literature Association's prestigious Fonlon-Nichols award.

The award is given annually to an African writer whose works have demonstrated a commitment to democratic ideals, humanistic values and literary excellence in Africa.

"The award elevates Dr. Onwueme to a new level among world-class writers," said Jack Bushnell, chair of the English department. "It's an honor that will put her on the radar screen for groups that make decisions about other prestigious awards, including the Nobel committee. It's a very big deal."

A variety of internationally known luminaries are past recipients of the Fonlon-Nichols award, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka of Nigeria. The prestigious award is named for Cameroonian literary scholar Bernard Fonlon and American journalist Lee Nichols, recognizing their contributions to the struggle for human rights and freedom of expression.

Onwueme — who joined UW-Eau Claire's faculty in 1994 — received the Fonlon-Nichols award April 17 during the ALA conference in Vermont.

"It was a very high profile event that made me feel 10 times taller than I've ever been in my entire life; to share the stage and be named in the same breath with literary giants and icons like the first black Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka," Onwueme said of receiving the award. "I'm back here now more sober than ever before because of the heavy weight of responsibilities that accompany such daunting honors." READ MORE