Cedric Jennings, the main character in the book A Hope in the Unseen, will speak at 7 p.m. tonight in the Student Center Ballroom.

All current freshmen were required to read this book before the beginning of this school year. The book was written by Ron Suskind, who spoke in the fall as a part of the Honors College’s Guest of Honor/University Artist lecture series.

Jennings will speak about his experiences growing up in an inner city, and how he was not as adequately prepared for college as other students. He will also talk about family relationships, specifically those between him and his mother, who played an important role in getting him through high school and college.

During Week of Welcome and their Orientation classes, freshmen were required to complete a short homework assignment about the book. The Center for Student Involvement and the university are looking for ways to relate the themes of the book throughout the entire school year.

“He has done a lot in terms of education, and he did most of it on his own,” said Brenda McKenzie, associate director of the Center for Student Involvement. “The book stresses diversity, relationships and perseverance.”

– Jill Byerly