Baker College to feature former MSU athlete April 25 to talk about facing challenges

Baker College of Auburn Hills Disability Services presents an evening with national motivational speaker Anthony Ianni, a Michigan State University graduate, former Spartan basketball player and an acclaimed anti-bullying advocate with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

Ianni will present his inspiring story Monday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Baker College of Auburn Hills Student Center. The public is invited to this free event. Seating is open, but limited.

This event is in conjunction with National Autism Awareness Month­–April, which is intended to raise awareness and support of autism.

CBS News recently featured Ianni in its list of the most inspiring stories of people on the autism spectrum: www.cbsnews.com/pictures/inspiring-stories-on-the-autism-spectrum/15/. At the age of four, Ianni was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder or PDD, a disorder on the autism spectrum, and was not expected to succeed academically or athletically. While he proved the doctors wrong, Ianni talks about overcoming barriers to success associated with being autistic, as well as dealing with the bullying that went along with the disorder.

“Anthony Ianni is a modern day civil rights hero, not only for people with autism, but for all who have been bullied for any reason,” said Peter W. Karsten, Ph.D., CPA, Baker College of Auburn Hills president. “He teaches a valuable lesson about strength of character, courage and sheer determination that offers something for each of us, no matter what challenge we are facing.”

Ianni was a walk-on player at MSU, played in two Big Ten Championships and the 2010 Final Four, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He has received many awards including:

· 2011 MSU Walk-On

· 2012 MSU Unsung Player

· 2013 Detroit Pistons Game Changer Finalist

· 2014 Epling Agent of Change

· One of Autism Speaks “10 Individuals who Inspired” in 2014 



For more information about this Autism Awareness Month event, contact Chip Evans, Baker College of Auburn Hills director of advising and academic resources and disability services coordinator, 248.276.8241 or chip.evans@baker.edu.

For additional information about Anthony Ianni; the Relentless Tour, a state–wide anti–bullying initiative; and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, contact Vicki Levengood, 517.241.7978, levengoodv@michigan.gov.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 23,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker College grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 100 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker College graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker College is a pioneer in distance education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.