April 12, 2022
The Oakland University Student Life Lecture Board will present “An Evening with Laurie Hernandez” on Monday, April 18, at 7 p.m., in the Oakland Center Founders Ballrooms. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Hernandez won gold and silver medals competing for the U.S. gymnastics team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and served as the gymnastics analyst for Peacock and the Olympic Channel covering the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. A second-generation American whose grandparents are from Puerto Rico, Hernandez was the first U.S.-born Latina to make the U.S. Olympic team since 1984.
She went on to win the coveted mirror ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars,” and to publish two books: “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond,” in 2017, and a picture book for children, “She’s Got This,” in 2018. Both were New York Times bestsellers. In recognition of Hernandez’s work as a Literacy Champion promoting readership as a path to leadership, Mattel created a Laurie Hernandez “Shero” Barbie to honor her.
Acting is one of Hernandez’s biggest passions. She has done cameos, voiceovers, co-hosted “American Ninja Warrior Junior,” and plans to pursue an acting/screenwriting degree. She travels the country speaking to the next generation about following their dreams and is also an advocate for the importance of mental health and a positive body image.
The event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. For more information or to request special assistance, contact the Office for Student Involvement at (248) 370-2400.