An educator acclaimed for his work to increase underrepresented minorities’ participation in science, math and technology will come to Emporia State University in March to deliver the 2016 Bonner and Bonner Diversity Lecture: Civic Leadership for the Common Good.
Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of University of Maryland, Baltimore County since 1992, is a consultant on science and math education to national agencies, universities, and school systems. He was named by President Obama to chair the newly created President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. He also chaired the National Academies’ committee that produced the 2011 report “Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation: America’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads.”
Named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME in 2012 and one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report in 2008, he also received TIAA-CREF’s Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence in 2011, the Carnegie Corporation’s Academic Leadership Award in 2011 and the Heinz Award in 2012 for contributions to improving the “Human Condition.” UMBC has been recognized as a model for inclusive excellence by such publications as U.S. News, which the past seven years has recognized UMBC as a national leader in academic innovation and undergraduate teaching.
Hrabowski’s lecture is titled “Rethinking Education in America: A Fifty Year Perspective”
The Bonner and Bonner Diversity Lecture Series was established in 1992 by Drs. Thomas and Mary Bonner, ESU’s first and second African American faculty members. In 2016, this landmark annual event finds a new home in Emporia State’s Honors College with its focus on civic leadership for the common good.
“Consistent with the tradition of the lecture series to promote diversity and inclusion, the role of civic leadership in making progress on challenges facing our communities will also be included in each lecture,” said Dr. Gary Wyatt, associate provost and director of the Honors College.
Hrabowski’s lecture will be at 7 p.m. March 3 in Albert Taylor Hall on the Emporia State campus. The public is welcome at the free lecture, but tickets are required for seating. Beginning Feb. 1, tickets will be available at Union Services in the Memorial Union or by calling (620) 341-6378.
Hrabowski’s 2015 book, “Holding Fast to Dreams: Empowering Youth from the Civil Rights Crusade to STEM Achievement,” will be available for sale and signing immediately after the lecture in the Plumb Hall Rotunda.