EAST LANSING, Mich. — Community members can meet acclaimed author Dave Eggers, author of “Zeitoun,” as he kicks off the 2010 One Book, One Community (OBOC) program with a special visit to the East Lansing-Michigan State University community Aug 29-30.

Eggers’ visit will mark the fifth-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the U.S. and the backdrop of Eggers’ bestselling book. “Zeitoun” tells the true story of one man’s struggle to survive in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina amidst the chaos that overtook New Orleans.

Eggers will speak to the community in person at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29 in the East Lansing High School auditorium, 509 Burcham Drive. Admission is FREE and attendees will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.

Eggers will also welcome freshmen at the MSU Academic Welcome at the Breslin Student Events Center on Monday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. The public is welcome.

Meet the Zeitouns
Community members can meet the Zeitouns at a special event, “Five Years Later: An Evening with Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun,” on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun will discuss their first-hand account of the harrowing story shared in “Zeitoun.” Admission is FREE and attendees will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Community & Campus Events, Aug. 29-Sept. 30
A series of community and campus events centered on the themes of this year’s book will take place Aug. 29-Sept. 30. Events will include a visit from Abdulrahmam and Kathy Zeitoun, public film showings, a New Orleans Wine Dinner, a writing workshop, an interactive book chat and other related events. Visit www.onebookeastlansing.com to
view the full calendar of events.

*A few of the events require registration due to popularity. Visit the Web site to learn how to pre-register for the Writing Workshop, led by MSU Professor Anita Skeen; Zeicussion: An Interactive Book Chat; and the New Orleans Wine Dinner.

About the Program
The annual One Book, One Community program, sponsored by the City of East Lansing and Michigan State University, encourages the city-university community to read the same book and come together to discuss it in a variety of settings. The book is an assigned reading for all incoming MSU freshmen.

Visit www.onebookeastlansing.com to learn more.