GRANVILLE -- Ward Connerly, the next Denison Lecture Series speaker and author of the autobiographyCreating Equal: My Fight Against Race Preferences, will speak at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday (March 2) in Slayter Auditorium. His topic is "Getting Beyond Race: America's Promise Realized." Admission is free and open to the public.

Ward Connerly

Connerly is founder and chairman of the American Civil Rights Institute -- a national non-profit organization aimed at educating the public about the need to move beyond racial and gender preferences. He has gained national attention and respect as an outspoken advocate of equal opportunity for all Americans, regardless of race, sex, or ethnic background.

As a member of the University of California Board of Regents, Connerly focused the attention of the nation on the University's race-based system of preferences in its admissions policy. In July 1995, following Connerly's lead, a majority of the Regents voted to end the University's use of race as a means for admissions. He was appointed to a 12-year term as UC Regent in March 1993.

Connerly's efforts have led to several honors and awards from supporters around the nation, including the Patrick Henry Award (1995) from The Center for the Study of Popular Culture and Individual Rights Foundation, the Courage in Leadership Award (1997) from Black America's Political Action Committee, the Ronald Reagan Award (1998) from the California Republican Party, Individual Freedom Award from the Sovereign Fund (2001) and the George Washington Honor Award from the Freedom Foundation (2002), among many others.

Connerly has been profiled on 60 Minutes, and in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Newsweek magazine, as well as appearing on Dateline, Meet the Press, NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and NBC Nightly News.

Connerly is now president and chief executive officer of Connerly & Associates, Inc., a Sacramento-based association management and land development consulting firm which he and his wife founded in 1973. He is also regarded as one of the housing industry's top experts, possessing a comprehensive knowledge of housing and development issues.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575