News
 MIDDLE GEORGIA COLLEGE HOSTS INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER KEITH BROWN (Cochran, GA) - Middle Georgia College recently hosted inspirational speaker Keith Brown, the "Motivator of the Millennium," at Walker Hall on the Cochran campus for students, faculty, and community members. The event was sponsored by Multicultural Affairs and the African-American Male Initiative as part of its motivational speaker series. The theme of Brown's presentation was "not impossible, but I'm possible." Brown asked the students to repeat after him: "Either I'm gonna make it, or I'm gonna make it." As a child, Brown was labeled as special education and an at-risk student. "I was at-risk because I was trying to impress people and fit in," he said. He warned students about the dangers of surrounding themselves with people who bring them down. "The company you keep determines the level you reach," he said. "You have to surround yourself with positive people. Dwell where you're celebrated, not where you're tolerated." Brown also advised students to dress appropriately and to learn how to communicate effectively. "If you don't look presentable, America will not choose you," he said. The effort students exert today will pay off later, he said. "If you do what you ought to do when you ought to do it, someday you can do what you want to do when you want to do it." Brown encouraged students to challenge themselves. "You don't want easy," he said. "Reach beyond your grasp." To conclude, Brown gave the students a two year plan for finishing their education at MGC. "You have to hunker down in your major," he said. "You need to meet and talk with the faculty and learn to network." At the end of his lecture, Brown was presented a certificate of appreciation by MGC students Marcus Jefferson and Contrell Sims. Jefferson said he thought Brown's presentation was very inspiring. "He had a lot of good quotes," he said. "He had things to say that a lot of people our age don't think about." Brown was named a "World Class Speaker" and one of the top speakers and consultants in education by "Insight Publishing," and is the author of "not impossible, I'm Possible," "Thinking it and Then Inking It," and "CHITLINS" (Creative, Helpful, Intuitive Thoughts Lifting Individuals, Naturally Seeking). He has been a professional speechwriter since 2000. The African-American Male Initiative was founded by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of African- American males. MGC's theme for the 2011-2012 academic year is "Global Perspectives and New Directions," which will feature Global Learning Labs, a motivational speaker series, and participation in learning communities. AAMI programs for the fall and spring include the "Beyond Words" book club, business and dining etiquette classes, and a study skills class. |