The American Academy of Arts and Letters announced March 20 that it will induct nine new members into the 250-person organization in mid-May, including internationally recognized artist Ann Hamilton, professor, Department of Art, and Distinguished University Professor at Ohio State. The honor of election is considered the highest formal recognition of artistic merit in the United States.

In addition to Hamilton, the new members include Robert Adams and Bill Jensen (Art); Wendell Berry, Ha Jin, Denis Johnson and Tobias Wolff (Literature); and David Lang and Alvin Singleton (Music). An American honorary member, Alice Waters, along with seven foreign honorary members will also be inducted. An exhibition of art, architecture, books and manuscripts by new members and recipients of awards will be on view in the academy's galleries May 22-June 15. 

The American Academy of Arts and Letters is an honor society of 250 architects, composers, artists, and writers. Members of the academy are elected for life and pay no dues. As vacancies occur, the academicians nominate and elect new members.