Stanford Memories

Shine Zaw AungClass of 2011

Chasing a Nobel laureate across the Quad

It was probably two weeks into freshman year. Orhan Pamuk, a Turkish author who had recently been awarded the Nobel Prize for literature, was giving a talk in Mem Aud. A friend’s girlfriend was a huge fan, and he wanted to surprise her by getting his autograph on a book. Security at Mem Aud was tight, Pamuk having faced death threats for his writings. Instead of signing books, he sneaked out from the back of the auditorium. My friend and I biked across the campus looking for the private session Pamuk was to give. It was futile. First time I biked across the campus at night. The Quad lit up like an ancient citadel. Wind blew with vengeance. A memory I will remember for a long time.

Shine Zaw AungClass of 2011