The Hutchinson Collegian

Mike Kessinger
Dillon Lecture Series Speaker Ben Vereen sings a musical number during at the s his guest appearance Feb. 18 at the Sports Arena. The award-winning actor experienced a life miracle when he overcame critical injuries after being struck by a vehicle and thrown 100 feet ten years ago.

It all started when the Broadway star was involved in a car accident. While walking away from the site, Vereen was struck by a truck and thrown 100 feet. He suffered critical injuries.

Though doctors were doubtful of his recovery time, Vereen turned to his faith. Ten months later he found himself experiencing a true miracle, performing back on Broadway.

Vereen, who is best known for his role in the television series “Roots,” made his appearance at Hutchinson Community College Feb. 18 as part of the Dillon Lecture Series. Vereen focused on Black History Month and talked about his personal experiences during the Sept. 11 tragedy.

“These celebrations (during Black History Month) are wonderful and important because we choose to recognize people’s achievements in our lifetime,” he said.

When Vereen was in school, he remembers that there was nothing more than a paragraph of information about African Americans in his history textbook. Today, however, he believes that there are large amounts of information involving the African Americans’ accomplishments and experiences.

“Today we have a plethora of information about the African American experience,” he said. Vereen continued on to speak about the sacrifices past men and women have made for the United States.

“A lot of our brothers and sisters died for the freedom of our youth today,” he said.

As a Brooklyn resident, Vereen saw first-hand the events and tragedies of Sept. 11 from his apartment building.

“I was down on ground zero that day the towers went down,” he said. “I didn’t watch it on television, I watched it live. I still have the taste of dust in my mouth.”

After the terrorist attacks, Vereen spent time volunteering and helping out with the rescue efforts.

“I truly saw the red, white and blue in America for the first time in my life, and I was proud,” he said.

During his speech, Vereen showed the audience his singing and dancing talents.

“The singing and dancing were excellent,” Alisha Julian, Inman, said. “I really enjoyed that.”

Among his accomplishments in “Roots,” Vereen has also won the NAACP Image Award for two consecutive years and was a Tony Award winner for his work on Broadway.

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