An upcoming presentation at Rogers State University by Olympic legend and motivational speaker Billy Mills is scheduled to be taped by the C-SPAN network for a later national broadcast.
Mills, the only American ever to win a gold medal in the 10,000-meter run, will present, “Self Empowerment in a Rapidly Changing World,” at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, at RSU’s Will Rogers Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
C-SPAN will tape the presentation for its “American Perspectives” series, a one-hour program airing on Saturday evenings, said Dr. Jeff Gentry, department head of RSU’s Department of Communications and Fine Arts. C-SPAN is a private, non-profit public service of the cable television industry established to provide public affairs programming. No broadcast date has been set for airing the C-SPAN program.
Mills’ presentation is part of the RSU Department of Communications and Fine Arts Invited Speakers Program. Mills won the gold medal at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. His performance is widely regarded as one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history. He set the world record for the six-mile run a year later. In addition to his status as an Olympic legend, Mills has enjoyed a career as a successful businessman, philanthropist and author. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.
As a Native American, Mills overcame many obstacles including poverty and discrimination while growing up on a reservation as a member of the Oglala-Lakota tribe in South Dakota. He is the author of several books including “Wokini: A Lakota Journey to Happiness and Self Understanding.”
Following his presentation, Mills will appear at a luncheon to raise funds for scholarships for Native American students at RSU. The luncheon will be held from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Post Hall. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling (918) 343-7742.
While at RSU, Mills will conduct an interview for the “Native Air” program on RSU Radio FM 91.3, speak to students in a class in Native American Studies and meet with members of the RSU Native American Student Association.
Mills’ appearances at RSU are sponsored by the Department of Communications and Fine Arts and Office of Student Affairs. For more information call (918) 343-7742.