DCCC inspires students, community with September speaking events

CORRECTION: Reed Timmer will be speaking Thursday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Rittling Conference Center.

Reed Timmer spends his life covering the most extreme weather across the United States. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide have seen his work covering severe storms on television and the internet.

September 11, 2019 – Davidson County Community College welcomes two notable speakers to its Davidson campus at the end of September. Dr. Reed Timmer of Discovery Channel’s “Storm Chasers” will speak on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. “From Prison to Prosperity” author Lynch Hunt will speak Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Both events will be held on the second floor of the Mary E. Rittling Conference Center and are free and open to the public.

With over 20 years’ experience in chasing storms, Reed Timmer is known for his severe weather forecasting, survival and research. In those 20 years, he has intercepted over 1000 tornadoes and a dozen powerful hurricanes.

“We’ve had incredible and inspiring individuals speak on campus, but I don’t think students will easily forget this year’s distinguished speaker,” Director of Student Life and Leadership Lynne Watts said. “We want to empower students with the stories of people successfully pursuing what they are passionate about. And with hurricane season already in full force, it seems we couldn’t have found a more relevant time for Reed to speak on campus.”

Timmer starred on the Discovery Channel’s “Storm Chasers” in 2008. He has also appeared on all major news networks, including Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer, CNN with Wolf Blitzer, CBS, NBC and The Weather Channel.

Among his many accomplishments and experiences, Timmer is one of the few people in existence to document both an F5 tornado as well as Hurricane Katrina, the most devastating hurricane in U.S. history. He earned his Ph.D. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma and currently serves as the CEO of Weather Fusion, LLC, a company offering forensic meteorology, consulting services and extreme weather media.

Lynch Hunt shares his story with audience members. Following ten years of incarceration, Hunt told his story of hope and prosperity to students in the Piedmont Triad area.

The Distinguished Speaker series is an annual event to bring notable speakers to campus to enrich and inspire both students and community members with incredible life experiences.

DCCC students and community members are also invited to hear best-selling author Lynch Hunt’s story. Hunt spent a total of 10 years in prison, including one year in solitary confinement. Following his incarceration, he decided to make major changes in his life.

“We all have chains of some kind, and often they exist as mental chains that are preventing us from being our best selves,” Keisha Jones, dean of Student Engagement & Completion, said. “I know our students and community leaders will benefit from hearing from someone who was at the worst point in his life, and through determination and a shift in mindset, was able to turn his life around.”

Since that turning point, Hunt earned 12 fitness certifications and now owns his own gym, AWOL Fitness, in Greensboro for the past four years. He shares his story in speaking engagements with students, as well as his own documentary.

The first 60 guests at the event will receive a free copy of Hunt’s book, “From Prison to Prosperity.”

“We invite these speakers to campus because they have inspiring stories to tell; stories we hope our students and community members walk away from motivated to craft their own inspiring stories,” Watts said.

About Davidson County Community College

Founded in 1963, Davidson County Community College is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, DCCC offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs to students in Davidson and Davie counties, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to 4-year universities. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, DCCC is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields. Visit Davidson County Community College at DavidsonCCC.edu.

Media Contact

Jonathan Williams
Communications Specialist
Davidson County Community College
Office: 336-224-4510
Jonathan_Williams@davidsondavie.edu