University Welcomes Gymnast Aly Raisman for Upcoming Distinguished Lecture

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Two-time team captain Aly Raisman is scheduled to deliver the Distinguished Lectures Committee's next lecture at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 6.

Two-time team captain Aly Raisman is scheduled to deliver the Distinguished Lectures Committee’s next lecture at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 6. The lecture is open to the public, and it will take place at the Fayetteville Town Center, adhering to the venue’s COVID-19 safety protocols. To attend in person, university students, faculty and staff must register here. Livestream information will be forthcoming via the Distinguished Lectures Committee’s website. 

Aly Raisman, team captain of the gold medal-winning Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, is the second most decorated American gymnast of all time. The most decorated U.S. gymnast at the 2012 Games, Raisman captured the hearts of millions as she became the first American gymnast to win gold in the floor exercise. One of only two U.S. gymnasts to make back-to-back teams in more than 15 years, she helped guide the team to gold and landed a silver medal performance in the All-Around competition at the 2016 Games.

A leader on and off the floor, Raisman uses her platform to help normalize the conversation around mental health, promote positive body image and the importance of self-care. In her New York Times best-selling memoir, Fierce, she shares the highs and lows of her journey, including her survival of sexual abuse. Inspired by an army of survivors, Raisman continues to advocate for systematic changes within the sport of gymnastics and the eradication of sexual abuse.

COVID-19 precautions: Wear a face covering; maintain six feet social distancing; wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. Please do not attend if you are sick. Event staff will ensure frequently touched surfaces are cleaned. Visit health.uark.edu/coronavirus/ for the latest U of A information and resources regarding COVID-19 impacts.  For more information about COVID guidelines for this lecture please visit dlc.uark.edu.

The Distinguished Lectures Committee decides which dynamic and pertinent speakers to bring to the University of Arkansas campus. These speaking engagements are completely free to all students. Some of the speakers brought over the past few years have included President George H.W. Bush, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, soccer star Abby Wambach, author Malcolm Gladwell, scientist Jane Goodall, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Elie Wiesel, Bill Nye and John Legend.

This event is sponsored by Distinguished Lectures Committee through the Office of Student Activities and is supported by the Student Activities Fee. For questions or for accommodations due to disability please contact the Office of Student Activities, osa@uark.edu or call 479-575-5255. Distinguished Lectures Committee is a program in the Division of Student Affairs.

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports students in pursuing knowledge, earning a degree, finding meaningful careers, exploring diversity, and connecting with the global community. We provide students housing, dining, health care resources, and create innovative programs that educate and inspire. We enhance the University of Arkansas experience and help students succeed, one student at a time.