US goalkeeper Tim Howard to speak at WSU Diversity Conference
OGDEN, Utah — A U.S. Soccer and English Premier League goalkeeper is headlining Weber State University’s 25th Annual Diversity Conference to be held Sept. 28–29. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Neurodiversity.”
Tim Howard’s keynote speech is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms. He’ll be interviewed about living with Tourette syndrome by Tim Crompton from WSU Athletics and Stacy Bernal of Awe.jpg)
some Autistic Ogden.
Howard, who holds the record for most saves by any goalkeeper in a single game in World Cup history, was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at a young age. He works with several Tourette organizations and published an autobiography, The Keeper: A Life of Saving Goals and Achieving Them, chronicling his career and life with Tourette Syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“I am excited for Tim Howard to come to our campus because his message fits beautifully in our equity, diversity and inclusion goals to find or create belonging in spaces that may not have been made for us that now include us,” said Adrienne Andrews, WSU’s vice president for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
The Diversity Conference begins with a faculty and student panel discussion about neurodiversity Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. in the Stewart Center Ballrooms at WSU Davis in Layton.
On Sept. 29, following breakfast and Howard’s keynote, attendees are invited to three breakout sessions at 10:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. Topics include neurodiversity in the workforce and relationships, becoming a parent advocate for children with disabilities, and discussions about PTSD, autism and ADHD.
Over the last 25 years, the Diversity Conference has allowed WSU and the larger northern Utah community to come together and have difficult conversations while building understanding with each other, Andrews said.
“One of the wonderful things that this conference offers to attendees is a way to link a large issue or themes to a variety of areas of study or interest,” Andrews said. “This reminds us that our engagement of the subject matter is not singular, with one right answer or solution.”
Free parking is available in the Dee Events Center parking lot, with shuttle transportation to Shepherd Union available. All events are free and open to the public.
For more details, visit the Diversity Conference website.
Jessica Kokesh, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7316, jessicakokesh@weber.edu- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu