Author Michael Pollan appears on campus for reception, speech

Michael Pollan, author of the acclaimed "Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals,” the Western Reads book for the 2009-2010 academic year, appeared on the Western Washington University campus for a speech and reception on Thursday, Jan. 14.

Pollan's lecture sold out shortly after tickets were made available.

In its sixth year, Western Reads is 's campus-wide reading program designed to promote intellectual engagement and civil discourse among members of the campus community.

All new freshman and transfer students received a complimentary copy of "Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals" at orientation. In his 2006 book, Pollan explores the significance of how we answer the age-old question, "What's for dinner?"

"What's at stake in our eating choices is not only our own and our children's health, but the health of the environment that sustains life on Earth," Pollan argues.

For the past 20 years, Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agriculture, gardens, drugs and architecture.

He is the author, most recently, of "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto." "The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals" was named one of the 10 best books of 2006 by The New York Times and The Washington Post. It also won the California Book Award, the Northern California Book Award and the James Beard Award for best food writing, and it was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Michael Pollan answers questions and discusses sustainability with area community members at a reception hosted by Western Washington University in the Wilson library. Pollan is the author of the Western Reads book selection for 2009-2010, "The Omnivore's
Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard greets author Michael Pollan in front of the Wilson Library reading room Thursday, Jan. 14, prior to Pollan's presentation in Western's Performing Art Center. Photo by Jon Bergman | University Communic
New York Times bestselling author Michael Pollan greets members of the Bellingham and Western communities at a reception prior to Pollan's lecture. Pollan is the author of the Western Reads book selection for 2009-2010, "The Omnivore's Dilemma." Photo by
A crowd of professionals, students and Western faculty and staff members join author Michael Pollan as Western's Dining Services showcases their efforts to provide students with locally produced foods. Photo by Jon Bergman | University Communications inte
People file into the lobby of the Performing Arts Center on Western's campus anticipating the start of author Michael Pollan's lecture on sustainable food and agriculture. Photo by Jon Bergman | University Communications intern