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The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Academic Lecture Series presents a distinguished lecture featuring model, actor and deaf activist , winner of Dancing with the Stars and America’s Next Top Model, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, at 7 p.m. in the University Theatre. The free event is hosted by the College of Fine Arts and Communication.

Born into a multigenerational deaf family, DiMarco is an honorary spokesperson for Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids and founder of , which works to improve the lives of deaf people around the world. DiMarco was also a creative collaborator on The ASL App, created by native deaf signers to teach conversational American Sign Language.

With a passion for language, literacy and advocacy within the deaf community and beyond, DiMarco will share his barrier-breaking story as a deaf man who has risen above stereotypes in a 40-minute speech titled, “Living Out Loud.” Believing that his deafness is "an asset rather than a limitation," he builds a bridge between deaf and hearing worlds by shining a light on not only the struggles but also the triumphs of deaf culture. Above all, DiMarco shows audiences that with a sense of community, commitment to goals, and belief in yourself, they can accomplish anything.

A question-and-answer session and audience meet-and-greet will follow DiMarco’s talk.

The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Academic Lecture Series, funded by student service fees, adds a significant asset to the university by supporting the Â鶹ÊÓƵ academic community to hold two lectures each year featuring distinguished speakers whose disciplines are represented by each of the university’s colleges.