Inspirational Speaker Chris Singleton to Speak at Washburn University Sept. 21

      Topeka, Kan. – Chris Singleton, an inspirational speaker and former professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs, will speak at Washburn University Sept. 21, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. A brief Q&A and meet and greet will follow his speech. This event is free to attend and open to the public.

      Singleton will speak on the topics of resilience, forgiveness, unity and share his journey of forgiveness.

      When: Sept. 21, 2022 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

      Where: Washburn Rooms A&B in the Memorial Union on the Washburn campus

      Singleton was a freshman outfielder for the Buccaneers baseball team when his mother tragically died in the 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston, SC. He publicly forgave the shooter the next day at the last game of the season. Singleton would go on to play for the Chicago Cubs from 2017 until he was released in 2019 to pursue public speaking engagements full-time. Singleton made it his mission to spread the word that love is stronger than hate.

      The Washburn office of student involvement and development (OSID) and the campus activities board (CAB) are sponsoring the event. OSID and CAB were introduced to Singleton at the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) last spring when he spoke at the conference.

      “We saw him at NACA and knew his message of perseverance and forgiveness was important for the Washburn and the Topeka community,” said Isaiah Collier, director of student involvement and development. “He’s been through so much in his personal life, in addition to his experience being a professional athlete.”

      “Even when you face adversity and obstacles, you have to push through. At the end of the day, love always wins.”

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      Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 6,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn’s programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees.  The programs are offered through Washburn’s six primary academic units – the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Applied Studies, the School of Business, the School of Nursing, the School of Law and the Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech.)

      All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech’s campus on Topeka’s west side or in the east Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.

      Washburn is ranked best public regional university in Kansas and 14^th best public regional university by U.S. News and World Report 2022-2023.