STARKVILLE, Miss.--After her 21-year-old son was killed in a 1998 hate crime incident, Judy Shepard became a national voice for diversity, understanding and compassion.
Now as executive director of the Casper, Wyo.-based Matthew Shepard Foundation
co-founded with husband Dennis, Shepard will speak March 23 at Mississippi State. Her public presentation begins at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall auditorium.
Her campus visit is sponsored by the university's divisions of Student Affairs and External Affairs, University Honors Program, offices of Sexual Assault Services and Counseling and Testing Services, Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, College Democrats, Delta Lambda Phi, Delta Xi Phi, Lambda Professionals, Residence Hall Association, Spectrum, and the Women's Studies Program, among others.
"Judy Shepard's message is one that focuses on the values of respect and dignity for others," said Bill Kibler, MSU vice president for student affairs. "She uses the tragic story of the murder of her son Matthew to educate students on hate language and hate crimes."
Observing that hate crimes are "a learned behavior," Kibler added, "I highly recommend the program as a 'must-see' for all students."
At the time of his death, Matthew Shepard was a political science major at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. He also served as a student representative on the Wyoming Environmental Council.
His beating and torture at the hands of two men close to his own age drew national attention to the issues of anti-gay crimes.
"The consequences of hate hurt everyone," Judy Shepard said in a 2004 statement at the sixth anniversary of her son's murder. Those who suffer include "not only the victims and their families and friends, but also the families of the perpetrators," she added.
"When hate is allowed to flourish unchecked, lives are lost, lives are ruined and lives are forever changed," she concluded.
The Shepard Foundation currently supports a variety of educational efforts designed to raise awareness of issues involving discrimination and diversity. More information about its efforts can be found at http://www.matthewshepard.org/.
For more information about the program, telephone Student Affairs at (662) 325-3045.
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NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: Media wishing to interview Mrs. Shepard should make advance arrangements by contacting Allison Kenney at akenney@kepplerspeakers.com.
