The 2001 Homecoming Badger Luau will take a literary turn Friday, as best-selling author and Madison-area resident Jacqueline Mitchard will serve as grand marshal of the Homecoming parade, University Communications announced Monday.
Mitchard is best known as the author of 'The Deep End of the Ocean,' a No. 1 New York Times best-selling novel chosen for Oprah Winfrey's Book Club. Her third novel, 'A Theory of Relativity,' was published in June by HarperCollins.
In addition to her career as an author, Mitchard served as a speechwriter for former UW-Madison Chancellor and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala.
'We feel lucky to have such a celebrity living in our own backyard,' Homecoming Co-Chair Jim Strode said in a statement.
As grand marshal, Mitchard will ride in the parade down State Street and distribute spirit awards at an event to follow.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Friday, with the award presentation and fireworks at the Memorial Union Terrace set for 7:30 p.m.
