DUBOIS – Daniel Hernandez, author, speaker and activist, is scheduled to speak at Penn State DuBois at 12 p.m. Oct. 16. All members of the public are invited to attend, free of charge.
Hernandez is the former congressional intern who is credited with saving the life of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords following the January of 2011 attack during which Giffords was shot. Having medical training as a phlebotomist, Hernandez was the first to reach Giffords. He provided care, elevating her head and holding pressure on the wound until paramedics arrived.
Hernandez is making speaking engagements across the country and discussing his book They Call Me a Hero: A Memoir of My Youth. In the book, Hernandez provides his commentary on growing up as a gay Hispanic boy in Arizona and on how his experiences prepared him for the day of the shooting. Penn State DuBois freshmen read the book this fall as part of their new student orientation process, and will have the opportunity to discuss the work with the author, as well.
Hernandez’s appearance on campus is in celebration of both National Coming Out Day and Hispanic Heritage Month. He will speak on both topics during his visit.
This event was made possible by a gift from the State Farm Insurance Multicultural Sponsorship Program. Local agent Greg Cranmer and the State Farm Insurance Company have donated a total of $3,000 to Penn State DuBois to fund multicultural programs at the campus. State Farm’s Multicultural Sponsorship is intended to advance access, equity, and inclusiveness while discouraging harmful discrimination based on age, political affiliation, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or identity, or religious beliefs.
