The University of Southern California's Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is celebrating a momentous achievement. Distinguished Professor of English, Percival Everett, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his compelling novel, *James*. This remarkable accomplishment not only honors Everett's exceptional talent but also shines a spotlight on the vibrant literary community fostered within USC Dornsife. *James*, published by Doubleday in March 2024, offers a powerful and poignant reimagining of Mark Twain's *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*, told from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved character. Everett's bold narrative gives voice to Jim, allowing him agency and humanity often absent from the original. The novel explores themes of racial injustice, family, and the relentless pursuit of freedom, presenting a searing critique of racial supremacy while offering a fresh perspective on a classic tale. The Pulitzer Prize Board lauded *James* as “an accomplished reconsideration of Huckleberry Finn that gives agency to Jim to illustrate the absurdity of racial supremacy and provide a new take on the search for family and freedom.” The *New York Times*, in its glowing review, praised the book as “Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful. Beneath the wordplay, and below the packed dirt floor of Everett’s moral sensibility, Jim is an intensely imagined human being.” Everett, in a statement released through his publisher, expressed his surprise and gratitude: “I am shocked and pleased, but mostly shocked. This is a wonderful honor. I am especially flattered to have been considered along with the other finalists.” This Pulitzer Prize win adds to Everett's already impressive list of accolades. He was previously a Pulitzer finalist in 2022 for his novel *The Trees*. His 2001 novel, *Erasure*, was adapted into the Oscar-winning 2023 film, *American Fiction*. The impact of Everett's achievement extends beyond individual recognition. Interim Dean of USC Dornsife, Moh El-Naggar, stated, “By giving a voice to Jim, Percival shows the power of retelling and challenging even the most classic of tales. USC Dornsife is proud to be home to one of the literary giants of our time.” Dana Johnson, chair of USC Dornsife’s English department and Florence R. Scott Professor of English, echoed this sentiment: “I couldn’t be more proud of Percival and the fact that our students learn from some of the nation’s greatest thinkers and writers.” Everett's influence on his students is significant. As he mentioned in a previous interview, “I love their energy. I love their openness to ideas. And that’s something that we can all stand to be reminded of.” This Pulitzer Prize win serves as a testament to his enduring impact on the literary world and the exceptional education provided at USC Dornsife. The award solidifies Everett’s place as one of the most original and prolific voices in contemporary American literature. His genre-bending work encompasses satire, Westerns, and experimental prose, consistently pushing boundaries and challenging conventions. The 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary talent and enduring contribution to American literature, and a source of immense pride for USC Dornsife.