CHICAGO | Author, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel drew more than 3,200 people to the St. Xavier University Shannon Center Thursday night to hear him speak of his life and work and how they were affected by his experiences as a prisoner of World War II Nazi concentration camps.

Wiesel also received a Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, from St. Xavier University in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to peace and human dignity.

"The third installment of our highly successful SXU Voices and Visions series was a truly special evening," said Robert Tenczar, vice president for University Relations, in a news release from the university. "It has been an honor to bring such an important voice for humanity to the city of Chicago."

The City of Chicago recognized Wiesel's visit by declaring Sept. 25, 2008, Elie Wiesel Day at its Sept. 10 City Council meeting.

Prior to his lecture, Wiesel conducted a classroom discussion with a small group of select St. Xavier students.

English major Ellen Morgan, of Mokena, recently read Wiesel's book "Night" and called the experience of meeting the author in person "indescribable."

"‘Night' was so descriptive of what he went through, and to see him come into a room and make people comfortable enough to talk with him about it is an amazing quality to have," Morgan said.

- THE TIMES