April 13, 2007

BENJAMIN CARSON TO DELIVER COMMENCEMENT
ADDRESS AT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ON MAY 6

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA ~ Lincoln University President Ivory V. Nelson has announced world renowned neurosurgeon Benjamin Carson will deliver the address to the graduates at the 148th Commencement exercise on Sunday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m. on the campus.

Dr. Carson has been director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins since 1984.  He is professor of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, oncology and pediatrics and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Craniofacial Center.

"I am pleased to have an individual of the caliber of Dr. Ben Carson to speak to our graduates," President Nelson said.  "He is nationally respected and admired as one of the nation's leading surgeons."

In 1987 Dr. Carson attracted media attention when he separated twins who were joined at the head and shared part of the same brain.  Ten years later, he traveled to South Africa, where he led a 70-member team in the successful separation of 11-month old Zambian twin boys joined at the head.

Dr. Carson graduated from Yale University in 1973 with a bachelor of arts in psychology and a medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1977.  He has written over 90 publications on neurosurgery, has been awarded 24 honorary degrees and dozens of national citations of merit.  He is the author of three best selling books, "Gifted Hands" and "Think Big" and "The Big Picture.”  His honorary degree list will increase as Lincoln University will bestow upon him an honorary doctor of science degree.

He has received numerous honors and awards and is a member of the American Academy of Achievement, the Horatio Alger Society of Distinguished Americans, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and many other prestigious organizations.  He is a member on many boards, including the Board of Directors of Kellogg Company, Costco Wholesale Coporation, Yale Corporation and America’s Promise.

Dr. Carson is also president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, a nonprofit that recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments.