New York Times Best-Selling Author Regina Calcaterra ’88 to deliver Distinguished Speaker Series lecture on “The Power of Resilience”

The SUNY New Paltz Distinguished Speaker Series proudly welcomes Regina Calcaterra ’88 to campus on Wednesday, March 11. The event will be held in Lecture Center 100 at 7:30 p.m. and will include a book signing and dessert reception with the author.

Calcaterra’s talk will address themes of resilience, optimism and self-determination derived in part from her own experiences growing up in and out of homelessness and foster care on Long Island, N.Y.

That true story is the subject of “Etched in Sand,” Calcaterra’s memoir, which rose to No. 2 on The New York Times Best Seller list upon its 2013 publication and has since been added to middle school, high school and college course curricula across the nation.

Over her 26-year career Calcaterra has not lost sight of the importance of reaching out to young people in need — especially those deprived of stable homes and families. She proudly serves as board vice president of You Gotta Believe, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to find permanent parents and families for young adults, teens and pre-teens adrift in the foster care system.

About the Distinguished Speaker Series

Launched in 2008, the Distinguished Speaker Series aims to connect SUNY New Paltz alumni, students, faculty/staff and community members with highly accomplished alumni, authors, policy makers, leaders, scientists, media experts, business people and other luminaries. The series hosts speakers twice every academic year.

SUNY New Paltz’s 2015 Distinguished Speaker Series is supported by the generosity of the following major sponsors: Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Campus Auxiliary Services, The Dorsky Family & The Dorsky Foundation, Empire State Bank, Frida’s Bakery & Café, M&T Bank, Hudson Heritage Federal Credit Union, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Viking Industries, SUNY New Paltz Foundation and Sodexo. For information about the Distinguished Speaker Series and about community sponsorship opportunities, please call (845) 257-3972 or email us at development@newpaltz.edu.

Learn more about Regina Calcaterra and You Gotta Believe at their websites.

Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended. For further information and to purchase tickets please visit http://www.newpaltz.edu/speakerseries/ or call (845) 257-3880.