Acclaimed novelist Jhumpa Lahiri, most well-know for The Namesake, will be this year's Kestbaum writer-in-residence. The program, founded by the Kestnbaum family, brings prominent writers to campus every spring quarter to give lectures and occasionally provide workshops for student writers. Previous writers-in-residence include Stuart Dybek, George Saunders, and Lydia Davis.

Lahiri will read from one of her works, answer questions in a student forum, and sign books when she visits May 10. Creative Writing Coordinator Kate Soto said Lahiri may also critique students' work in a writing seminar, but plans have not been finalized.

Soto said creative writing faculty vote each year to decide which author to invite. "We really respect her work," Soto said. "She will be a dynamic visitor and we thought she would work well with students."