By: M.K. Bryant

The University of Montevallo hosted two-time Pulitzer Prize winner John Archibald on March 6 for the 2024 Hallie Farmer lecture. The lecture took place in the LeBaron recital hall, and it was immediately followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Named after UM’s chair of the Department of Social Sciences from 1927- 1956, the Hallie Farmer Lecture Series was established in 1985 with the goal of inviting distinguished figures in the social sciences to speak at the university. Speakers are invited to the university every two years to discuss topics relevant to Farmer’s work and goals.

Archibald is a columnist, podcaster and author who has been writing in the South for more than 35 years.

In 2018, after winning the Pulitzer for commentary, Archibald was praised by the Pulitzer Prize jury for his “lyrical and courageous commentary that is rooted in Alabama but has a national resonance in scrutinizing corrupt politicians, championing the rights of women and calling out hypocrisy.”

Archibald was also the lead reporter for the 2023 Pulitzer for Local Reporting, alongside a team consisting of Ashley Remkus, Ramsey Archibald and Challen Stephens. Their winning work was a series that focused on the rampant policing in the town of Brookside, Alabama.

Archibald’s memoir, “Shaking the Gates of Hell: A Search for Family and Truth in the Wake of the Civil Rights Revolution,” was listed in 2021 as one of NPR’s favorite books of the year.

In his memoir, Archibald discusses his experience growing up in Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement.

This experience had a major impact on his work today, which revolves largely around social injustices in the South.

During his lecture, Archibald placed an emphasis on the importance of telling not just his own stories, but also making sure that other people’s stories get told.

“The most beautiful thing about any of this writing is that it’s not what you process through your head, but it’s who you meet. Every time they give you the gift of their story, you’ll be able to relay that, and talk to people, and share it with the world and see the reaction that they have to other people’s pain. It just restores my faith in people,” Archibald said.