Written by Maureen Brakke

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces Isaac Ford Jr. as the upcoming speaker for the Jensen Lecture Series on Thursday, April 4 in the Columbia Room in the Werner University Center.  The public is invited to attend a reception at 5 p.m. followed by the lecture at 5:30 p.m. Ford’s book signing will take place after the lecture. 

Isaac Ford, Jr., MSW is an author, independent Diversity & Inclusion consultant, motivational speaker, and CEO of Isaac Ford Jr. & Associates, LLC., specializing in motivational speaking and diversity and inclusion training. The title of his lecture is Up from the Bottom: Reflections of Forgiveness and Perseverance, which is based on his memoir Up From the Bottom, which tells the story of trauma, tragedy, and triumph and demonstrates the power of the human spirit to defy the odds regardless of one’s circumstances.

Ford was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in a segregated section of Augusta, Georgia. His father was absent from the home during his childhood, and burglars once broke into the family’s home while they were still at home. At nine years old, he was almost crushed to death by a falling flagpole. At 13 years old, the most trusted person on the planet punctured his left lung with a steak knife. At 20 years old, he was a police officer patrolling the mean streets of Augusta battling crime, while simultaneously fighting against racism within the ranks. Despite all the trauma and adversity, he resolved that he would not become a statistic, but rather he was going to “write his own incredible narrative and live life to the fullest until the music stops.” Read more about Isaac Ford.

RSVP to attend the lecture on Thursday, Apr 4, 2024 with a reception starting at 5 p.m. and the lecture starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Columbia Room in the Werner University Center at Western Oregon University.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction.  Together we succeed.