Hi 69 / Lo 42
|
Hi 69 / Lo 42 |
Student Publications
©1991-2007
Last modified:
Contact:
|
Volume 72, Issue 105,
Monday, March 5, 2007
News Library praises Houston columnist with exhibition Newspaperman displays modesty as M.D. Anderson Library puts long-time Houston Chronicle and fiction writer's works on display by GUILHERME CUNHA
The M.D. Anderson Memorial Library honored a renowned local columnist and novelist with an exhibit of his lifework on Thursday. Leon Hale, who works as a columnist for The Houston Chronicle said he never understood people's appreciation of his accomplishments. "They didn't come up to my dreams and expectations and a lot of people have been kind commenting," Hale said. "I never thought about (writing) until my junior year in college, and I started at the school paper." "I'm a newspaperman. I'm a pro, that's what I'm proud of. I have been able to make a living writing the column and been doing it for 50 years." Hale, who also writes fiction, said he looked to life for his inspiration. "What I've done in my fiction is to use the material that I collected writing the columns — spent over 35 years traveling, talking to anybody with something interesting to say: bums, hitchhikers," Hale said. The library had gathered works that covered Hale's lifetime. "We try to present collections that will bind the University of Houston to the greater Houston. We wanted to honor him — that's another way we can bond with the city," Dick Dickerson, University archivist for special collections, said. The reception was attended by former cao-workers, family and friends. Many spoke about Hale's contributions to Houston and writing. "I knew him at the Houston Post; I was told to hire Hale when I came to the Chronicle. It's been a delight ever since," Jack Loftis, former editor of The Houston Chronicle said. "His writing is as genuine as he." In his address, Hale said that he has no intention of stopping. "I always thought when a person got an exhibit: he is about to retire, get fired or about to die. None of the options are on my list," Hale said. Hale, who was born in 1921, graduated from Texas Tech University and has written for the Houston Post. He has been writing for The Houston Chronicle since 1983. The exhibit will be on display on the first and second
floors of the library until Aug. 23, 2007.
Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu |
To contact the
To contact other members
of
 |