‘The Attitude Advantage.’: Lewis Honors College Speaker Series welcomes Jesse LeBeau
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 21, 2022) — On Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m., the University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College Speaker Series will welcome actor, author, motivator and basketball trick artist Jesse LeBeau.
The event will be in-person in the Lewis Honors College Scholars Lounge and open to the entire UK community.
The purpose of the Lewis Honors College Speaker Series is to better prepare the Lewis Honors College students for the challenges and opportunities of life by covering topics including self-awareness, personal values, character development, leadership, critical thinking, decision making, financial literacy, career planning, success and happiness; and to educate the Lewis Honors College students regarding the American values of individual liberty, free enterprise, personal responsibility, faith, family, patriotism, intellectual diversity, community engagement and civic responsibility.
At a young age, LeBeau, a native of a remote Alaskan island, developed a love for sports, particularly basketball. However, at 5 feet 8 inches tall, he had nearly every odd stacked against him. Despite his size and circumstances, he managed to make a name for himself in the world of streetball, regularly featured on TV, film and international tours. He has played in nationally televised games and landed starring roles in commercials for Kobe Bryant and with other NBA players such as Dwayne Wade, Rajon Rondo, Blake Griffin and Amare Stoudemire. He was also featured in the 2012 Warner Bros. film, “Thunderstruck,” starring Kevin Durant. Playing under the nickname "Spin Cycle," he has had the opportunity to be coached by Matt Barnes, Chauncey Billups and Dennis Rodman to name a few.
LeBeau’s underdog story has inspired people through his speaking engagements, books and personal development programs. In 2017, he started the Attitude Is Everything Foundation (AIEF) as a resource for young people to have ongoing support throughout difficult teenage years, particularly targeting the area of self-esteem.
In his talk at the Lewis Honors College, LeBeau will entertain with basketball tricks and inspire with his relatable underdog story. Armed with a sense of humor and a healthy dose of optimism, he hopes to help students in the everyday struggle of forming and discovering their true identify and purpose.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to speak to Lewis Honors College students and help them realize that the biggest obstacle they'll ever face in their lives is themselves.”
For more information on the event, visit www.uky.edu/honors/LeBeau.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.