Don't miss the exciting keynote addresses at NACAC's 64th National Conference!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Randy Snow
While just a junior in high school, Randy Snow was injured in a farming accident, which left him without the use of his legs. Since then he has become a business owner and nationally recognized sales associate, a Fortune 500 speaker featured on CNN, ESPN and USA Today and one of the most successful gold medal wheelchair athletes in history.
Examining four very important leadership virtues, Snow’s energetic and humorous talk, “The Courage to Lead,” inspires the audience to live the truth, compete with a purpose, reach for opportunities, and remain compassionate. He uses personal examples to illustrate that despite our circumstances—economic, physical or other—our dreams can be fulfilled.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Sherman Alexie
Sherman J. Alexie, Jr. was raised on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, WA. After a brain operation at six months—from which he was not expected to survive—Alexie learned to read by the age of three. Encouraged by a poetry teacher, Alexie has gone on to write numerous poetry collections, short stories and novels which have earned him several awards, including the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Writers’ Award. His novel, Reservation Blues and Indian Killer, was named a New York Times Notable Book. He also collaborated on a screenplay that was based on one of his short stories. The film, Smoke Signals, went on to win two awards at the Sundance Film Festival in 1998. Alexie has been featured on Politically Incorrect, 60 Minutes II and NOW with Bill Moyers and as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Alexie remains connected to the Seattle area. He has been the University of Washington’s Artist in Residence, has taught courses in American Ethnic Studies at the university and has been a commencement speaker. Alexie’s keynote will address his view of the world and race/racism based upon his life experiences.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Dr. Zenobia Hikes, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vi
rginia Tech
Dr. Zenobia Lawrence Hikes served as the vice president for student affairs at Virginia Tech during the worst school shooting in U.S. history.
She has provided expert commentary to CNN, numerous other electronic and print media outlets, universities, and professional associations.
In this must-attend event, she will address the simultaneous challenges of violence, emotionally fragile students and incivility in American culture, which impact institutional environments and the quality of the admitted-student pool.
Hikes will discuss the new uncharted territory and lessons learned in times of tragedy and explore the value of partnerships between secondary schools, parents, admission officers, student affairs, and other university stakeholders as we move toward resiliency.