(Posted October 10, 2016)

            HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Matt Glowacki, who was named 2010’s Best Diversity Artist by Campus Activities Magazine, will be coming to Juniata College to discuss “Diversity According to ‘Family Guy’ and ‘South Park’” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Sill Boardroom in the von Liebig Center for Science on the Juniata campus.

            The 7.pm. lecture is free and open to the public. Glowecki’s talk is part of the “Beyond Tolerance Series,” a schedule of periodic workshops to help Juniata better understand diversity issues on campus. Glowecki will present another lecture, “Exploring Your Identity,” at 3 p.m., Oct. 19 in Sill Boardroom. This workshop is for Juniata faculty and staff.

"What's the point, what's the moral, and how are they reflective of the goings-on of our culture?"

Matt Glowecki

            Glowecki, who was born without legs, refuses to let his situation restrict his ability to live a fulfilling life, or his ability to make a difference in the world. On his website, a short description reads, “he isn’t handicapped, physically challenged, crippled, or wheelchair bound -- he’s just Matt and he happens to use a wheelchair.”

            Glowecki’s discussion topics are all centered on improving communities in one way or another. The presentation he will be doing at Juniata, “Diversity According to Family Guy and South Park,” will focus on how television shows can shape our understanding of diversity. Glowecki explains that, on average, families spend less than seven minutes together each day, while on the other hand, high school and college students typically watch several hours of television time throughout the day. He emphasizes the importance of examining the messages of these shows.

            When describing what he hopes audiences will get out of this presentation, Glowecki explains that he wants people to become more aware of what they are watching, and ask themselves, “what’s the point, what’s the moral, and how are they reflective of the goings-on of our culture?”

Written by Joey DiGangi ’18

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.