Speaker targets issues of vets, disabled
Issues of importance to military veterans and people with disabilities will be the subject of a speech at Chadron State College next week.
Gary E. May, a combat veteran of the Vietnam War who is associate professor of social work in the graduate program at the University of Southern Indiana at Evansville, will speak Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall. His background includes research and teaching in the areas of social welfare policy, disability issues, veterans' affairs and post traumatic stress disorders.
May co-edited and co-authored the book "Ending Disability Discrimination: Strategies for Social Workers."
In addition to 32 years of clinical experience, May is a former director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indiana Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. In addition to those gubernatorial appointments, he also served as the director of outpatient services for Charter Hospital of Indianapolis, Ind. He has conducted workshops and provided consultation services for government, business and professional organizations.
May was injured by a landmine explosion while serving as an infantryman with the Marines in 1968. He holds a master's degree from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor's degree from the University of Evansville.
May also is chairman of Veterans Defending the Bill of Rights, a veterans group opposed to a constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. In 1999 and 2004, he testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Judiciary. In May 2003 he testified in opposition before the subcommittee on the Constitution of the U.S. House Committee.
He was named social worker of the year by the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers in 2007. In 2005, he was awarded the Rev. W.R. Brown, Sr. Peace and Justice Award and the Zion Church of Christ Peace and Justice Award. He was a Jefferson Award winner in 2003.
May is coming to Chadron as part of CSC's Galaxy Series of fine arts and cultural events. While in Chadron, he is scheduled to meet CSC's social work classes and members of Chadron's veterans groups while on campus.
Tickets are available at reduced cost by contacting the CSC box office in advance: 308-432-6360 or boxoffice@csc.edu.
Category: Campus News