Lycoming College will host Don McPherson, an activist, educator, feminist and entrepreneur, on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 8:00 p.m. in the Recreation Center to speak about the prevention of sexual discrimination, sexual violence and bystander intervention.
During his visit, McPherson will also speak to the ‘Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality’ sociology class, meet with the student life staff, coaches, the Student Athlete Advisory Board, Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council.
McPherson is a national leader and advocate for the prevention of sexual discrimination and violence. He has conducted workshops and lectures for over 250 college campuses, community organizations and national sports and violence prevention organizations.
In the past, McPherson has worked with the U.S. Department of Education and Defense on issues of sexual violence in education and the military. He also served as a college football analyst for ESPN, BET and NBC. He has provided commentary on numerous national news programs, and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
In college, McPherson was a unanimous All-American quarterback and captain of the undefeated 1987 Syracuse football team. He set 22 school records and won more than 18 national “player of the year” awards. In 2008, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. McPherson went on to become a quarterback in the NFL and Canadian Football League.
When he retired from pro football, he served as national director of athletes in service to America at Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society. In this position, he turned his focus to the issue of men’s violence against women. In 2002, he founded the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University, where he served as the executive director until 2007.
McPherson has received several honors in recognition of his service, including the Frederick Douglas Men of Strength Award, from Men Can Stop Rape; Champions for Change award, presented by Lifetime Television; the Creative Vision for Women’s Justice, presented by the Women’s Justice Center at Pace University; and a Leadership Award from the National Center for Victims of Crime.
Lycoming College is a four-year, residential liberal arts and sciences school dedicated to the undergraduate education of 1,400 students. Its rigorous academic program, vibrant residential community and supportive faculty foster successful student outcomes. Lycoming offers 36 academic majors and is recognized as a Tier 1 institution by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1812 and located near the banks of the Susquehanna River in Williamsport, Pa., Lycoming is one of the 50 oldest colleges in the nation. For more information, visit www.lycoming.edu.