As part of the NCCU Centennial Celebration and in honor of Black History Month, North Carolina Central University will host a lecture with Dr. Ben Carson, director, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, on Tuesday, February 9 at 3 p.m. in the McDougald – McLendon Gymnasium. Dr. Carson will speak from his motivational book, Think Big. The event, as well as the reception and book signing following the program, are free and open to the public.

A graduate of Yale University and the Medical School of the University of Michigan, Carson pioneered several surgical innovations. In 1987, he performed the first successful operation to separate craniopagus (Siamese) twins, joined at the back of the head – leading a 70-member surgical team through 22 hours of surgery. Named by CNN and TIME magazine as one of the 20 most notable scientists and physicians, Carson holds more than 50 honorary degrees. In June 2008, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, by then President George W. Bush.

Perhaps Carson is best known for his story of triumph over tragedy. Raised in a single-parent home, Carson struggled through his early years of school, resulting in poor academic performance, low self-esteem, and a terrible temper. It was the intervention of his mother – who challenged both Carson and his brother to strive for excellence – that resulted in the realization of his childhood dream, becoming a doctor.

Today, Dr. Carson works to expand the Carson Scholars Fund, with the goal of naming a Carson Scholar in every school in the country. His motivational book, Think Big, utilizes eight principles of excellence, his personal formula for success.

This event is sponsored through the NCCU Lyceum Series. For more information on this program, contact Robin Williams, Developmental and Supplemental Learning Center, at (919) 530-6932, or [email protected].