Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Rapper, actor Common to come to Southeast as part of speaker series

Monday, August 24, 2015

UPDATE: Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Carli Lloyd has been added to this year's speaker series. The award-winning soccer player has represented the United States at the past three Women's World Cup tournaments and let the U.S. team to victory in 2015. She will speak at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Show Me Center.

Common will visit Southeast on Feb. 23.

Southeast Missouri State University announced the lineup for this year's University Speakers Series, which includes authors, performers and survivors of tragedies.

Jeff Bauman will be the keynote speaker for Patriot Day at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, in the Academic Hall Auditorium. His speech, which is called "Beyond the Finish Line: A Conversation with Jeff Bauman," will cover his experience at the Boston Marathon bombing, where he was able to help the FBI identify the two suspects after losing both of his legs.

"He is the epitome of a survivor," Joanna Shaver, coordinator of campus programming, said. "I mean, his story was plastered on Time magazine, any newspaper, and he kind of became the face of the Boston Marathon bombing. ... He became a hero overnight, and I think his story will just be fantastic for us to hear and be inspired by."

Shaver added that Bauman ranked very high on the student survey that was collected last spring before speakers were booked, and that she was happy that they could bring someone that students were interested in seeing. The event will be free and open to the public.

The second speaker, Fareed Zakaria, is the host of CNN's emmy-nominated "Fareed Zakaria GPS," as well as a contributing editor at The Atlantic and a columnist for the Washington Post. Zakaria is also known for his international bestselling books and as a frequent guest on "The Daily Show." Zakaria's presentation at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Show Me Center will be connected to his latest book, "In Defense of a Liberal Education."

"[Zakaria] will come and talk about how important it is that we are here, we're getting this education even though sometimes we are like, 'Why are we studying these random things,'" Shaver said. "He is definitely a proponent of the education system and will come to talk to us about that."

Wes Moore will present the keynote address at Southeast's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner on Jan. 20 in the Show Me Center. Moore is an author and veteran who hosts "Beyond Belief" for the Oprah Winfrey Network and "Coming Back with Wes Moore" for PBS.

"He wrote an interesting book, 'The Other Wes Moore,' about how there was this other person with the same name, but how their paths just went completely different directions," Shaver said. "His topic hasn't quite been determined because he will tie it in with whatever the MLK theme will be."

Tickets for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner will go on sale early December.

Grammy and Oscar-winning musician and actor Common will present Southeast's annual Michael Davis Lecture, which recognizes African Americans in the media, on Feb. 23 in the Show Me Center. Common has also written a memoir and various children's books, and he has also created the Common Ground Foundation to empower inner-city youth.

"He's really going to bring an inspiration message to our campus," Shaver said. "His speech is titled 'Greatness' so I can just imagine what that will be about, but he'll talk about his story and how we can all succeed and be great. We just have to put our mind to it and do it."

Bethany Hamilton is the author of "Soul Surfer," the autobiographical story of how Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack at the age of 13 and how she became a professional surfer after her recovery.

"She's still surfing to this day," Shaver said. "She actually has a competition in March, she recently had a baby and she and her husband were just on 'Amazing Race' this last season."

In addition to her professional surfing career, Hamilton has written multiple other books. She will speak at 7:30 p.m. on April 4 in the Show Me Center.

"I'm extremely excited to hear her message," Shaver said. "It's just another message of hope and inspiration. Basically every speaker has some sort of message to go with our 'Will to Do' theme."

Shaver said that they all are connected by being survivors in their own way, either going through a physical trauma, being a survivor of circumstance or a survivor of cultural identity.

Shaver added that the university plans to announce an additional speaker for the series. A Southeast press release describes that person as "a world-class champion."

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