Margaret Atwood, an award-winning author and poet, will visit State College tomorrow to receive this year’s Medal for Distinguished Achievement from Penn State’s Institute for the Arts and Humanities.

Atwood, originally born in Quebec, has established a popular global presence, publishing in more than 40 languages and stretching her acclaim internationally. Although best known for her novels, Atwood’s canon encompasses more than forty works in genres ranging from children’s books, to collections of poetry, to television scripts. She has been touring around the country to promote her newest novel, “MaddAddam,” the final part of a three-book series. As a result of these accomplishments and her transnational influence, she has been chosen to receive IAH’s 2014 Distinguished Achievement honor, selected by the director of the institute, Michael Bérubé.

The medal ceremony is free to the public, and will take place at the State Theatre tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Atwood will speak to the audience and perform a reading of her own choice, as well as take audience questions until around 9 p.m.

Atwood will also host a forum the following day, Thursday, Nov. 13, leading a discussion on the interplay of gender and genre. Often placing her literary characters within believable dystopian settings, Atwood has a penchant for exploring seemingly differing topics within a common context. Her best-known novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” explores a futuristic Christian theocracy that has unseated the U.S. government and subjugated women.

This forum is open to the public, and will take place at the Nittany Lion Inn at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $19 and the event includes a lunch buffet. Tickets can be purchased through the ID+ office in 103 HUB.