PRESS RELEASE
March 4, 2003
UM Alumna Mollee Kruger
Returns to Campus for Program
After a 53 year absence, “The Mocking Molecule,” alias poet-humorist Mollee Coppel Kruger, returns to the university of her wayward youth on Sunday, March 9, from 3 to 5 p.m., in a funny and heart-warming program at the Kogod Theatre, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, College Park.
Based on her papers acquired in 2001 by the Libraries’ Archives and Manuscripts Department, a staged reading, “A Garage Sale of the Mind: Mollee Kruger’s Lifetime of Verses, Vagaries, and Vices,” will revive the adventures of campus coeds during the post-World War II era when masses of battle-seasoned veterans outnumbered demure young female students fresh out of high school.
In addition to her letters written from College Park between 1946 and 1950, the reading will trace the career of this professional writer from Diamondback columnist, Old Line humor magazine editor, and lyricist for campus shows to her six books of political, historical, feminist, and ethnic poetry; a syndicated column, award-winning short stories, plays and TV scripts, and contributions to The Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, Modern Maturity, and Writer’s Digest.
The program also includes a meet-the-author reception and a mixed media display, including a video of her long-running musical show, “Ladies First: Rhymes and Times of the Presidents’ Wives and Other Female Fantasies.” Free, but limited seating, is available.
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