Les Brown has spoken to crowds of as many as 80,000 all over the world.

“My Degree, My Future: Claiming What’s Mine” is the theme of this year’s Student Academic Success Day from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, in the University Union Ballroom.

Hosted by Student Academic Success and Educational Equity Programs, as well as the DEGREES Project, the event features internationally known speaker Les Brown as the keynote presenter at noon in the ballroom.

“As one of the world’s most renowned motivational speakers, Les Brown is highly sought after for motivating the masses and expanding opportunity,” says Marcellene Watson-Derbigny, associate vice president, Student Retention and Academic Success.

For decades, Brown has researched the science of achievement by interviewing hundreds of leading authorities and collaborating with CEOs, nonprofits, and businesses, creating measurable results for clients.

Brown received the National Speakers Association's coveted Council of Peers Award of Excellence (CPAE), and its most prestigious Golden Gavel Award for achievement and leadership in communication. Toastmasters International also voted him one of the Top Five Outstanding Speakers Worldwide.

In elementary school, Brown was mistakenly declared “educable mentally retarded.” However, his tenacity and belief in his ability unleashed a course of amazing achievements from sanitation worker to broadcast station manager, political commentator, and multi-term state representative in Ohio.

“As a premier keynote speaker and leading authority on achievement for audiences as large as 80,000 from Denmark to Dubai, Canada to the Caribbean, legions of admirers flock to stadiums to hear a man who never stops believing that with proper guidance and training, you can begin achieving the things you desire now,” Watson-Derbigny says.

“Les Brown’s message of success is timely and will fuel the passion of our scholars to reach their highest goals,” she adds.

To learn more about Student Academic Success Day and the key features of the event, visit csus.edu/degreesproject/SASDay. – Craig Koscho