Penn State alumna Dora E. McQuaid, renowned teacher, activist, speaker, and poet, will return to Happy Valley to speak about student activism and empowerment. The talk will take place on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the HUB, Room 129C. McQuaid frequently spoke about similar topics during her time as faculty member in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences.

McQuaid graduated from Penn State with an undergraduate degree in 1990, and afterward pursued her Masters in Speech Communication from Penn State. Upon completing her graduate education, she stayed true to Dear Old State through educating students in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences. In addition to her career as a professor, McQuaid passionately addresses sexual and domestic violence issues through speech and poetry performances. McQuaid’s powerful collection of poems recounts her journey of falling victim to sexual violence and regaining her footing to become a stronger, more resilient person.

In 2012 after the Sandusky scandal broke, there was question as to what, or who, would be painted over Sandusky on the Inspiration Mural by artist Michael Pilato. McQuaid was chosen as a replacement due to her undeniable influence on others through her inspiring tales and depictions of rising up from victimization to reach empowerment.

Following her on-campus talk, McQuaid will speak alongside muralist Michael Pilato in front of her image on the Inspiration Mural on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m., where she will discuss personal and community responses to sexual and domestic violence. Survivors of sexual violence who attend the event will have the opportunity to place their handprint onto the mural. Immediately following McQuaid’s discussion, the Student Book Store will host a book signing of her poem collection, “The Scorched Earth.”

“I am both honored and excited to be returning to the Penn State Campus and State College community to share once again my work with the members of both communities, as I did for the many years that I taught at Penn State and made State College my home,” McQuaid said in a release.

For more information regarding McQuaid, her accomplishments, and her efforts, you can visit her website.