| Contact |
|
Carolyn Hildebrandt
University Division
(765) 455-9309
Cathy Hightower
IU Kokomo Alumni Association
(765) 455-9411
alumni@iuk.edu
Mary Ellen Stephenson
OCM
(765) 455-9414
mestephe@iuk.edu
|
|
New Basketball Hall of Famer Landon Turner speaks at IU Kokomo March 22
March 15, 2007
KOKOMO, Ind.—One day after his induction into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Landon Turner will speak at Indiana University Kokomo. The public is invited to meet Turner and hear his talk on Thursday, March 22, at 7 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium. Admission is free.
Following his talk, Turner will sign copies of his book, Landon Turner’s Tales from the 1980–'81 Indiana Hoosiers.
Turner is one of 14 named to the 2007 men’s induction class of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. A two-time All-State player at Tech High School in Indianapolis, Turner starred as a freshman when Indiana University won the 1979 National Invitational Tournament. He and fellow new inductee Randy Wittman were IU teammates when the Hoosiers won the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 1981.
Four months after that career highlight, Turner was paralyzed for life in an auto accident. Turner’s Indiana coach, Bob Knight, coordinated efforts to help pay Turner’s massive bills. Turner has taken it from there, by finding new mobility with a wheelchair and becoming a motivational speaker, who advocates winning attitudes for life.
Turner comes to IU Kokomo as part of the Disabilities Awareness Month activities. The campus’ University Division office, which provides disability services for students, is coordinating events under the slogan “Make Room for Everyone.”
“We are just thrilled to bring Landon Turner here to IU Kokomo, said Carolyn Hildebrandt, director of disabilities services. “Landon is such an inspiring individual. He reminds us that an individual with a disability is a person first. He or she still has dreams and can achieve them, especially if others don’t make the disability a stopping point for that person.”
Campus co-sponsors of Disabilities Awareness Month events include the Offices of Affirmative Action, Campus Climate, and Student Activities; the IU Kokomo Alumni Association; the American Democracy Project Committee; and the Student Union Board. Hildebrandt expressed special thanks to community sponsors of events, the owners of Cone Palace and Moore’s Home Health. For information, contact Hildebrandt at (765) 455-9309.
IU Alumni Association Reception
Current members of the IU Alumni Association are invited to a reception with Turner on March 22. RSVPs are required; e-mail to alumni@iuk.edu or call (765) 455-9411 by March 21.
