The student Artist Lecture Series committee will host Survivor winner Ethan Zohn April 3 in the Akin Auditorium at 7 p.m. He will present his lecture “Character: The Ultimate Survival Tool.”
Zohn played professional soccer for the Hawaii Tsunami and Cape Cod Crusaders of the United Soccer Leagues before competing on and winning the third season of Survivor. He used the $1 million winnings to co-found Grassroot Soccer, a non-profit organization dedicated to mobilizing the global soccer community to combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
Zohn was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a rare form of cancer, and has since declared he is cancer free. Zohn turned his focus to speaking to high school, college, corporate and professional sports audiences about the significance of personal character.
“Ethan Zohn has an inspiring background and story,” Matthew Park, associate vice president for student affairs and Artist Lecture Series committee advisor, said. “His lecture discusses the importance of integrity, fortitude, service and responsibilities. With all of the Greek activities going on this week, this lecture of service to others co-signs with what students involved with fraternities and sororities are exemplifying.”
Zohn is the last of four lecturers to in the 2013-2014 Artist Lecture Series. Zohn follows in the footsteps of Drew Pinksy, Shaunette Hildabrand and most recently Pentatonix. Two of the lectures sold out. Dr. Drew sold out within days of his lecture while Pentatonix sold out days after tickets being available.
“Zohn doesn’t have the same celebrity ‘Pow’ that attracted students to Dr. Drew or Pentatonix, but the message he shares is just as important,” Park said. “Only 150 tickets have been claimed, but that just means there are still plenty of tickets available for students.”
Tickets are free for students with a valid MSU ID, $20 for the general public and $18 for senior citizens, active-duty military and MSU alumni.
The Artist Lecture Series was created in 1964 to bring noted lecturers and quality programs in the performing arts to campus and the Wichita Falls community. The student Artist Lecture Series committee is taking applications for next year online. The committee will look over the applications and select students based on the requirements provided. The committee is responsible for searching for future lecturers.
“The student committee is meeting sometime this month to discuss who they believe is a good fit for next year’s lecture season,” Park said. “As of now, we have zero confirmed lecturers.”
