Russell A. Blanchard Speaker Series
He lived in a homeless shelter with only $25 to his name; now he is one of the nation’s most sought-after authors. This is the story of Adam Shepard, author of Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream, who will share his rags-to-riches story during the first program of the Russell A. Blanchard Distinguished Lecture Series being held on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 2:30 p.m. in the Jaguar Student Activities Center Ballroom.
In his book, the 2006 Merrimack College graduate discusses how, without the help of family and friends, he proved that attaining the American Dream is still possible. His story describes how he randomly chose a city and moved there with only $25 and the clothes on his back. He also tells of the struggles and triumphs that included living 70 days in Charleston’s homeless shelters, getting sick, working for a temporary labor agency, saving money to buy an apartment and a car, and finally landing a job in a highly demanding business.
In a passage from his book, Mr. Shepard writes, “I am really, really frustrated with the poor attitudes that seem to have swept over my peer group. Frustrated with hearing ‘I don’t have’ rather than ‘Let’s see what I can do with what I do have.’ So, I have decided to demonstrate that it doesn’t have to be that way.”
Marc Miller, dean of the Hull College of Business, says he is excited about Mr. Shepard’s sharing his experiences in this year’s lecture series. Dr. Miller says that the author’s success story is a great example of this year’s Blanchard Distinguished Lecture Series theme, Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility. “With the current economic condition, I believe Mr. Shepard’s presentation will inspire our students, faculty, and friends to remember and believe that achieving their goals is still possible,” says Dr. Miller.
Mr. Shepard has been featured in publications and television shows including the New York Post and NBC’s The Today Show. He received a bachelor’s degree in business management and Spanish from Merrimack College.
To learn more about this free lecture, contact the Hull College of Business at 706-737-1560.