As part of the Shepperd Distinguished Lecture Series, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin’s John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute will host an upcoming lecture entitled “An Evening with Olympic Champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee” at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center at State Highway 191 and Farm to Market Road 1788.
The lecture is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 20 and moderated by CBS 7 anchor Tatum Hubbard.
Tickets are $10 a person. Students from area schools, colleges and universities may show their student ID to obtain a ticket free of charge. Tickets can be purchased at wagnernoel.com, ETIX: 1-800-514-3849, or the venue box office from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Joyner-Kersee has been dubbed “The Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century” by Sports Illustrated. By the conclusion of her career in the heptathlon and long jump events she had amassed six Olympic medals (three gold, one silver, two bronze) and four World Champion titles over four consecutive Olympic Games.
Less well known are her efforts and accomplishments as a philanthropist and an advocate for children’s education, health issues (in particular asthma from which she has suffered throughout her life), racial equality, social reform and women’s rights.
The Shepperd Institute encourages audience members to submit their questions to Joyner during the lecture using their phones, texting their question to the moderator. The text number will be provided in the program.
