In May 2024, Jonathan Eig won the Pulitzer Prize for his biography “King: A Life.” A Medill and 1981 cherubs alum, he came to Northwestern to speak on June 26.
Audrey Noguera of South Orange, New Jersey, said it was “crazy” to hear from a Pulitzer Prize winner, especially knowing he was once a cherub himself.
“We were able to speak with someone who has done incredible things,” Noguera said. “And we could see that he was once in our position, too.”
Emerson Leger of The Plains, Virginia, said she also enjoyed hearing Eig speak, particularly about how he used his background as a journalist to do research for his book. Before he wrote biographies, Eig wrote for The Wall Street Journal and other publications. Leger said one of her biggest takeaways was the versatility of a journalism education.
“With journalism, you learn to write clearly, think accurately and do research,” Leger said. “You’re not afraid to go up to sources, and that really helps if you’re trying to write a book. I think that’s why a lot of journalists become authors and why they are some of the most successful ones.”
Anika Kini of Rye, New York, said she just began reading “King: A Life.” She said Eig’s background in journalism is evident in the pages of his book. For example, she said, he mixes historical fact and narrative storytelling in an unexpected yet compelling way.
“It reminds me that the skills you learn at cherubs are going to help you with whatever profession you go into,” Kini said.
84 cherubs left Eig’s lecture with signed copies of his book. Unexpectedly, Eig left with a signed book, too.
Noguera, who published a children’s book titled “Find Your Forest” this year, said she thought it would be fun to exchange books with Eig.
“It was really cool, because I was able to bond with a Pulitzer Prize winner over something we had in common,” Noguera said. “He flipped through my book and gave it to his daughter to hold onto. Now, I have a signed copy of his book, and he has a signed copy of mine.”
