CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The writer behind two popular Netflix originals received a distinguished alumna award from UNC.
UNC alumni Jenny Han has taken over both streaming and YA novels with hit Netflix adaptations of her “To All the Boys I Loved Before” trilogy and spin-off “XO Kitty,” as well as Prime Video s series “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
She wrote her first novel “Shug” from a prompt in Ruth Moose’s “Writing Children’s Literature” class at Chapel Hill’s Greenlaw Hall in 1998.
The committee behind selecting Han’s award credits her ability to create relatable and multi-faceted characters of color throughout her works
Ruth Moose, a retired UNC English professor, commended Han for her work ethic.
“She wrote and wrote and wrote, and there just was really no stopping her,” Moose said.
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said that he was pleased Han was back at Carolina.
“We’re thrilled to have her back here and honoring her the way we did today,” Guskiewicz said.
Han received the award as part of the annual University Day celebration in Memorial Hall.