(Photos courtesy of Western Michigan University)

Czech playwright Vaclav Havel who helped lead the revolution that ended that country’s communist rule died over the weekend. Havel became the Czech Republic’s first democratically elected president after the “Velvet Revolution.”

Among the many honorary degrees that Havel received over the years was one from Western Michigan University in 2006. That degree was presented at Western’s summer writing program in Prague.

Western Michigan University English Professor Richard Katrovas helped organize the ceremony where Havel and novelist Arnost Lustig received honorary degrees.

Katrovas spoke with WMUK’s Gordon Evans about his memories of meeting Vaclav Havel.