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Sept. 16, 1999, Marshall University was privileged to welcome special guest speaker Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Jackie is considered the greatest female athlete in the world by many, but she stresses her greatest accomplishment is her way of giving back to the community that has supported her. Joyner-Kersee is a 6-time Olympic medalist with three gold medals along with a 4-time Goodwill Games heptathlon winner. She holds the world record in the heptathlon, and American records in the long jump, and 50 & 60 meter hurdles. However, Jackie stresses her sincere interest in leadership programs in urban areas across the United States. Given Joyner-Kersee’s status as an inspirational member of society, the capacity seminar crowd in the Don Morris Room kindly took to her message and consistently applauded her efforts. The speech motivated youth and adults alike to get involved in programs that will benefit the good of all. Jackie said the one most influential word that young adults can share with one another is “love.” She concluded the seminar with a fashionable and encouraging summary—“spread the positive fight, know why you are here and continue to make the difference.” Story and Photos by Justin Ruble |