Renowned Kentucky author Silas House will address the Class of 2025 at Kentucky Wesleyan’s 157th annual Commencement on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at Owensboro Christian Church. He will be the recipient of an honorary doctor of letters.
“Silas House is not only one of Kentucky’s most profound literary voices, he’s also an advocate for the power of storytelling,” said President James Cousins. “It is a privilege to welcome him to our campus. We know the Class of 2025 will be inspired by his creativity, advocacy and commitment to community.”
House is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels; the first, “Clay’s Quilt,” was published in 2001, and his most recent, “Lark Ascending,” was a “Booklist” Editors’ Choice and the winner of the 2023 Southern Book Prize and the 2023 Nautilus Book Award. Four of his plays have been produced. He is also the author of the 2009 book of creative nonfiction, “Something’s Rising,” with co-author Jason Kyle Howard.
House’s writing has appeared recently in many of the country’s leading publications. He is a former commentator for NPR’s “All Things Considered” and is the executive producer and one of the subjects of the documentary, “Hillbilly.” His 2018 novel, “Southernmost,” is currently in pre-production as a feature film. In 2023 he served as writer, co-producer and creative director of the Tyler Childers’ video, “In Your Love,” earning nominations from the Grammys, the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Television Awards, as well as becoming a #1 video on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.
As a music journalist, House has worked with Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Lucinda Williams, Tyler Childers, S.G. Goodman, Lee Ann Womack, Kris Kristofferson, Senora May and many other musicians. He is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers. The recipient of three honorary degrees, he has earned many awards, and in 2023 was inducted as the Poet Laureate of Kentucky for 2023-2025 and became a Grammy finalist.
House teaches at Berea College, where he is the National Endowment for the Humanities Chair, and at the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Creative Writing. In 2023 he served as one of five judges of the National Book Award in Fiction. A native of Eastern Kentucky, he now lives in Lexington, Ky.
The College’s first Commencement took place at the Millersburg campus in 1868. KWC’s first Owensboro Commencement was held in the Owensboro High School auditorium in May 1952.
Information on Kentucky Wesleyan College’s 157th Annual Commencement celebrations, including live stream links may be found at kwc.edu/commencement.