World renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and author Dr. Benjamin S. Carson Sr. to speak at 136th Berea College Commencement May 25

5/16/08

Two hundred fifty five seniors will be receiving their diplomas, while another 28 are expected to complete degree their requirements by the end of this summer.

Rev. Dr. Daniel P. Mathews, rector emeritus of Trinity Church Wall Street New York, will be the speaker at the Sunday morning Baccalaureate Service, scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. in Phelps Stokes Chapel.

The day’s other public events include the Nurses Pinning Service at 9 a.m. in Union Church and a reception at 4 p.m. on the College quadrangle for graduates and guests.  Rain site will be Old Seabury Gymnasium.
Dr. Carson has been director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, since 1984 when, at the age of 33, he became the youngest physician ever at Johns Hopkins to head a major division. He is also professor of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, oncology, and pediatrics. He operates on more than 300 children every year at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, Maryland and is sought out around the world for his expertise in separating conjoined twins and conducting brain surgery to control seizures.
Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1951, Carson overcame enormous challenges in his youth to earn a scholarship to Yale University where he received his B.A. in psychology, then went on to receive his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School.  The author of more than 100 neurosurgical publications, Carson is the author of four best-selling books, “Gifted Hands,” “THINK BIG,” “The Big Picture,” and very recently “Take The Risk.”  Berea College’s honorary degree will mark Carson’s 51st honorary doctorate, and he has also been awarded dozens of national citations of merit as well as hundreds of other honors and awards.  The Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts in Maryland has produced a one-act play, “Ben Carson, M.D.” about his triumph over adversity.

With his wife, Candy, Carson also is the co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, a non-profit organization that has awarded over 3400 college scholarships to students who strive for academic excellence and demonstrate a strong commitment to their community.

Tim Jordan, director
Berea College Public Relations  (859) 985-3028