Professor to give commencement address

Sarah Ann Wider Sarah Ann Wider, PhD, professor of English and Women's Studies at New York's Colgate University and the president of the Emerson Society, will give the commencement address for the Soka University of America class of 2006 at 2 p.m. Wed., Dec. 13 at the campus, 26800 W. Mulholland Hwy.

Wider, an authority on Ralph Waldo Emerson, has written extensively on Emerson and Henry David Thoreau's reception, especially by female readers and listeners. Wider is also committed to the work of contemporary writers, in particular Native writers across the Americas and their themes of social justice and poetry. Wilder earned a PhD in 19thcentury American literature at Cornell University in 1986, a master of arts at Cornell University in 1984 and a bachelor of arts at the University of New Mexico in 1981, where she graduated summa cum laude with honors in English and philosophy, with distinction in all subjects.

She is the author of books about Emerson and Anna Tilden and more than 22 articles and reviews. In 2006, she was presented with the Soka University Award of Highest Honor.

It will be the university's final graduation ceremony at the Calabasas campus. In 2007, the graduate school will move to Soka's Aliso Viejo campus, where applications are now being accepted for the 2007-08 academic year.

Ten students from Japan, the United States and Venezuela are candidates for master of arts degrees.