Feb. 28 event is free and open to the public
TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2018) – Ken E. Nwadike Jr., peace activist, video journalist and YouTube personality, most commonly known as the “Free Hugs Guy,” will speak at the University of South Florida next month as part of the student-run University Lecture Series. Nwadike will appear at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) on Wednesday, Feb. 28 in the Marshall Student Center Oval Theater.
Founder of the Free Hugs Project, Nwadike is known for spreading love, inspiring change and raising awareness on social issues through his motivational videos that have totaled hundreds of millions of views on Facebook and YouTube. Overcoming his struggles as a former homeless athlete, he is also the owner of Superhero Events, an event production company that raises funds and awareness for homeless teens.
Nwadike takes a fun and interactive approach when bringing his Free Hugs Project to a live audience, with the goal of engaging participants in conversations about compassion and understanding. The event will conclude with a keynote address exploring how society can overcome differences, build communities and inspire change.
The lecture is free and open to the public on a limited first-come, first-served basis following priority seating for USF Tampa students. For more information about the lecture series, including the audience policy, please visit the ULS website.
About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, established in 1956 and located in Tampa, is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. The USF System includes three, separately accredited institutions: USF; USF St. Petersburg; and USF Sarasota-Manatee. Serving more than 49,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF ranks in the Top 30 nationally for research expenditures among public universities, according to the National Science Foundation. In 2016, the Florida Legislature designated USF as “Emerging Preeminent,” placing USF in an elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.