August 30, 2006
For Immediate Release
For an interview:
Alan Clarke
(801) 863-6267
For additional information:
www.prejean.org
College Marketing Contact:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written by:
Jessica Beck
(801) 863-7205
Dead Man Walking's Sister Helen to Speak at UVSC
Sister Helen Prejean will be the keynote speaker for UVSC’s second annual Death Penalty Symposium September 14-20. Sister Helen will speak September 19 in Centre Stage at 4 p.m.
Sister Helen, a Roman Catholic nun, is a prominent figure in the fight against the death penalty. She is the author of the book, “Dead Man Walking,” which is based on her true experiences during her prison ministry in Louisiana. The book received international attention and was listed on the New York Times bestseller list for 31 weeks. In January 1996, Sister Helen’s Pulitzer Prize nominated book was developed into a major motion picture starring Susan Sarandon as Sister Helen and Sean Penn as a death row inmate.
“She is one of the most influential people dealing with the death penalty today,” said Alan Clarke, an integrated studies professor who is helping organize the event. “She is quite possibly the most sought after speaker on this topic.”
In December 2004, Sister Helen published her second book titled, “The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions.” In this book she tells the story of two men, Dobie Gillis Williams and Joseph O’Dell, both death row inmates whom she believes were innocent.
“Having Sister Helen speak on our campus is a wonderful educational opportunity for our students,” Clarke said.
Today, Sister Helen educates the public about the death penalty by lecturing, organizing and writing. She founded the organization “Survive,” a victim's advocacy group in New Orleans, in which she continues to counsel not only inmates on death row, but also the families of murder victims.
Immediately following her speech, UVSC will host a book signing with Sister Helen at Centre Stage. This event is free and open to the public.
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