The Lamar University Academic Lecture Series and the College of Education and Human Development presents Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III, on Wed., Oct. 9. Students will have the opportunity to meet and hear Hrabowski at 3:30 p.m. at the Mary and John Gray Library, 8th Floor in the Lamar Room. A free public lecture will commence at the Mary and John Gray Library, 8th Floor in the Plummer Room at 7 p.m.

Considered by TIME Magazine as one of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’ and one of the ‘10 Best College Presidents,’ Hrabowski is renowned for “getting kids to love to learn,” especially lower income and those underrepresented in STEM disciplines. His research and publications focus on science and math education, with a special emphasis on minority participation and performance. His leadership, expertise and vision are integral to programs worldwide and are used by universities, school systems and community groups around the country.

Hrabowski’s innovation is so successful that The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where Hrabowski has served as president since 1992, is one of the nation's leading sources of African-American Ph.D.s in science and engineering. Almost half of UMBC’s seniors go immediately to graduate school. UMBC has been recognized as a model for inclusive excellence by such publications as U.S. News, and for the past 10 years UMBC has been a national leader in academic innovation and undergraduate teaching.

“Hrabowski is esteemed worldwide for his contributions to education so we are thrilled to have someone so accomplished to share his philosophies, his principles and tried and true ideas to LU and the entire Southeast Texas community,” said Bob Spina, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “This is a real opportunity for educators and administrators, and anyone interested in enticing children to learn, to gain insight from a leading expert.”

A valued consultant on science and education to national agencies, universities and school systems, Hrabowski has a compelling story, which he tells in his most recent book, “Holding Fast to Dreams: Empowering Youth from the Civil Rights Crusade to STEM Achievement.” He describes the events and experiences that played a central role in his development as an educator and leader including being jailed at the age of 12 for participating in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s children's crusade.  

President Obama named Hrabowski to chair the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. He also chaired the National Academies’ committee that produced the report, “Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation: America’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads (2011).” Hrabowski has won many awards including the Heinz Award (2012) for contributions to improving the “Human Condition,” and more recently, the American Council on Education’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) and the University of California, Berkeley’s Clark Kerr Award (2019).

Hrabowski's 2013 TED talk, “Four Pillars of College Success in Science," has been translated into 28 languages and viewed by more than one million people.

 
With approximately 15,000 students, Lamar University is a research institution serving Southeast Texas and beyond with more than 100 programs of study leading to bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. LU is a member of the Texas State University System and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The 300-acre campus located 90 miles east of Houston and 25 miles west of Louisiana, is recognized for the quality of its core curriculum, diversity of its student body and low student-to-faculty ratio. In addition to its five academic colleges, LU offers students the opportunity to study in the Reaud Honors College, in numerous locations across the world through faculty-led study abroad programs and in co-op work programs as well as dynamic partnerships with business and industry. Your moment is here. Your moment is now at Lamar University.