World Trade Center Hero to Speak to MCLA Students and Faculty on Sept. 11
NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host author and inspirational speaker Michael Hingson on Thursday, Sept. 11 in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium. The presentation will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m., followed by a meet and greet and book signing from 7 to 7:30 p.m.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Hingson and his guide dog, Roselle, escaped from the 78th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center, descending 78 flights of stairs moments before the building collapsed. This harrowing experience became the foundation for Hingson’s message of overcoming fear, building trust, and finding strength in the face of unimaginable adversity.
“We are honored to welcome Michael Hingson to our campus on such a significant day,” MCLA Assistant Director of Disability Resources Nancy Rumbolt-Trzcinski said. “His story of survival, resilience, and the power of human-animal partnerships offers invaluable lessons for our students as they navigate their own challenges and prepare for their futures.”
Blind since birth, Hingson was raised in Chicago with a can-do attitude that saw him riding bikes, mastering advanced mathematics, and excelling academically. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from the University of California, Irvine, along with a secondary teaching credential, before embarking on a nearly 30-year career in high-tech management.
Following the 9/11 attacks, Hingson became a sought-after speaker, sharing his story with world leaders, including former President George W. Bush, and appearing on hundreds of television and radio programs. He has traveled globally, speaking to Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations about teamwork, trust, diversity, inclusion, and adaptive technology.
“Michael Hingson’s visit reinforces our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every student can thrive,” MCLA Director of Disability Resources Cindy MacDonald said. “His message about partnership, trust, and overcoming fear speaks directly to the values we work to instill across our campus community.”
Hingson is the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog & the Triumph of Trust, which has sold more 2.5 million copies worldwide. His second book, Running with Roselle, was written specifically for young audiences to help them understand one of America’s darkest days. His latest work, Live Like a Guide Dog, released in August 2024, teaches readers how to control fear and avoid becoming “blinded by fear in the face of crisis.”
In June 2024, Hingson was inducted into the honors fraternity Phi Beta Kappa at UC Irvine as an alumni member for his outstanding contributions to academia and society.
During his visit to MCLA, Hingson will present “Turning the Tails on Terror in Our Uncertain and Scary World: Labrador Lessons from September 11, 2001,” discussing how people can learn to live better lives by staying focused rather than panicking, even in the most challenging circumstances. He will also engage with students and faculty throughout the day, including a visit to Professor Anthony Daly’s “War, Science, and Society” course.
Currently serving as national ambassador for the Braille Literacy Campaign of the National Federation of the Blind, Hingson continues his advocacy work while living in Victorville, Calif. with his eighth guide dog, Alamo, and rescue cat, Stitch.