John Updike to speak at SAS Dean's Forum "In my view, he's probably the greatest living American author, as well as the greatest living American critic," School of Arts and Sciences Dean Samuel Preston said. Updike will read from Gertrude and Claudius at the Dean's Forum, which will be held in Logan Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public. Updike, born near Reading, Pa., and educated at Harvard University, gained prominence in the 1950s with the publication of Rabbit Run, the first in a series of five books based on the character of Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom. A prolific writer, Updike has produced more than 60 works in his long career. His works span numerous themes and styles. "John Updike is at this point maybe the best pure writer in American literature. I've been reading John Updike since I read Rabbit Run 40 years ago," English Department Chairman John Richetti said. "I'm excited that he's coming to Penn as well as Seamus Heaney as Commencement speaker," Richetti added. "Suddenly, Penn is making headlines in the literary world." The SAS Dean's Forum features leading figures in the liberal arts. Last year's forum featured author Maxine Hong Kingston. -- Michael Sonsino Driver dies towing car for removal initiative A tow truck operator was killed yesterday afternoon while trying to tow an abandoned car as part of Mayor John Street's new abandoned vehicle removal program. Wayne Smith, 40, was attempting to hook up a Lincoln Continental to his tow truck at about 1 p.m. yesterday in North Philadelphia when the vehicle slid backwards, striking him in the head. He was later pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital due to head trauma. Smith, an employee of R.T. Automotive, is survived by a wife and six children. "It was an accident," Street's spokeswoman Barbara Grant said. "It was tragic, but it was an accident." She added that Smith's death won't delay the mayor's new program, which seeks to remove 1,000 abandoned vehicles from city streets each day for 40 days. Yesterday marked only the second day of the initiative. Grant added that Smith's local tow truck drivers association agreed that the program should continue. "They were obviously saddened, but they remain committed to the project," she explained. -- Stacy Humes-Schulz
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