By Bernie DeGroat
News and Information Servcies
Alumnus Benjamin S. Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, will deliver the first “Spotlight on African American Alumni” lecture at 7 p.m. Thurs. (Oct. 27) at Hale Auditorium.
Carson, who has a bachelor’s degree from Yale and a medical degree from the U-M, will discuss the obstacles—broken home, poverty, low self-esteem, poor grades—he overcame to become one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons.
“We’re thrilled that Dr. Carson is coming to campus,” says Daria Young, co-chair of the African American Student Programs Task Force. “He’s a very inspirational speaker and is dedicated to the African American community.”
Carson, an associate professor of neurosurgery, plastic surgery and oncology, and assistant professor of pediatrics, is best known for his role in the highly publicized separation of German conjoined twins in 1987.
He is the author of Gifted Hands, his autobiography, and Think Big, which imparts his philosophy for success in life. He also has edited a medical textbook on craniofacial surgery and has written numerous articles for scientific and medical journals.
Carson’s talk is sponsored by the newly formed African American Student Programs Task Force, composed of students and staff.
“The task force is committed to satisfying the cultural and academic needs of African American students,” says co-chair Michael Jones-Coleman. “Dr. Carson’s talk will be the first in a series of programs that we will present this year.”
The African American Student Programs Task Force is one of four groups recently organized by the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives and the Office of Minority Student Services to develop cultural programs for African American, Native American, Asian American and Hispanic/Latino/Latina students.
For information, call Jones-Coleman, 936-1055.
