The Cavalier daily :: Friday, February 9, 1973 :: University of Virginia Library

Mr. Dickey,
poet-in-residence and English
professor at the University of
South Carolina, received
national attention with his best
selling novel and film
"Deliverance."

"I accept your invitation to
be the baccalaureate speaker
with pleasure and honor," Mr.
Dickey wrote to Mr. Patrick in
his acceptance letter. "My
oldest boy, Chris, graduated
from the University last year
and I am very happy to be
returning to his school as one
of the commencement
speakers," Mr. Dickey wrote.

Mr. Patrick described Mr.
Dickey as an "excellent poet"
and a "prominent person in the
literary field at this
time. He integrates his writing
with his speech," he said.

'Popular Vote Getter'

Mr. Patrick said that he
thought Mr. Dickey would
"really impress the class as a
whole, the University
community, and families of the
graduates."

"He will speak from an
ethical standpoint and not a
religious one in keeping with
Mr. Jefferson's ideas
concerning religious activities on
the Grounds," said Mr. Patrick.

Mr. Patrick said Mr. Dickey
was "the popular vote getter"
in a poll taken by Class
Executive Board members of
over 35 degree candidates in
December.

Warm Welcome Assured

"He was unanimously
approved by the Public
Occasions Committee," said
Mr. Patrick and added that
President Edgar F. Shannon Jr.
had written Mr. Dickey a letter
assuring him of a warm
welcome.

Mr. Patrick said that the
graduation speaker had not yet
been selected, although he said
"we have someone positive in
mind."

He added that they were
looking for "someone of
national prominence" and
mentioned the possibility that
the person they were
considering would probably be
booked up because of his
national stature."

Mr. Dickey won the
National Book Award for
Poetry for "Buckdancer's
Choice" and has written four
other volumes of poetry as
well as numerous essays and
articles. His new novel is
"Death's Baby Machine."

Native of Atlanta

The 50-year-old poet was
born in Atlanta, Ga., and
received his B.A. from Clemson
College and his M.A. from
Vanderbilt University He has
served as poet-in-residence at
Reed College, San Fernando
Valley State College and the
University of Wisconsin. He
has also served as a consultant
in poetry to the Library of
Congress.

Author James Dickey

Mr. Dickey has received
several awards, some of which
are the Union League prize; the
Vachel Lindsey Award, the
Longview Award, and the
Melville Crane Award.