NEW LONDON, Conn. – Renowned educational expert, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III, is scheduled to give a speech titled “Education for the 21st Century” to the Coast Guard Academy corps of cadets in Leamy Hall, March 18 at 7 p.m.

Hrabowski, who has been the president of University of Maryland, Baltimore County since May 1992, will focus his speech on the full spectrum of challenges facing our nation and how, as public servants, cadets are poised to be the agents of the change necessary for a thriving America in a global arena.

Named as one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News and World Report in 2008 and one of The 10 Best College Presidents by Time magazine in 2009, Hrabowski serves as a consultant to the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Academies, and to universities and school systems across the country. He has also authored numerous articles and co-authored two books, “Beating the Odds” and “Overcoming the Odds” (Oxford University Press), that address parenting and high-achieving African American males and females in science. Both books are used by universities, school systems and community groups around the country.

Hrabowski, a child-leader in the Civil Rights Movement, was prominently featured in Spike Lee’s 1997 documentary, “Four Little Girls,” on the racially motivated 1963 bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church.

This event is open to the public and media. Media members will have an opportunity to speak directly with Hrabowski immediately following his speech. Media outlets wanting to attend the speech are requested to call the Coast Guard Academy Public Affairs Office at 860-444-8270.