Speaker to highlight strategies for successful boys

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
08/31/06

Bestselling author and social philosopher Michael Gurian will speak in Alaska Sept. 12-13 as part of a series of speakers organized by The Boys Project, a UAF program that aims to launch a national discussion on the educational needs of boys and ultimately spearhead efforts to increase boys’ achievement nationwide.

Gurian’s lecture, "The Minds of Boys: Saving our Sons from Falling Behind in School and in Life,"? is free and open to the public. It will take place in Fairbanks on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at West Valley High School. A second lecture is scheduled in Anchorage for Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at East High School.

The lecture is based on Gurian’s book by the same title and focuses on understanding the male learning style, the role of parents and communities in ensuring good schooling for boys, and new methods, strategies and teaching techniques that have been proven to work in schools, classroom and homes.

Gurian is the first speaker in the Boys Project Speakers’ Series, funded by $85,000 combined grant funds from BP and ConocoPhilips to the University of Alaska Foundation and authorized by UA President Mark Hamilton.

Gurian is a social philosopher, family therapist, corporate consultant and the New York Times bestselling author of 21 books published in 20 languages. The Gurian Institute, which he co-founded, conducts research internationally, launches pilot programs and trains professionals. Michael has been called "the people’s philosopher" for his ability to bring together people’s ordinary lives and scientific ideas.

CONTACT: Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu. Judith Kleinfeld, UAF professor and director of The Boys Project, at (907) 474-5266 or via e-mail at ffjsk@uaf.edu.