Olympic medalist to discuss Native American heritage

Olympic gold medalist and Native American Billy Mills will give a presentation at Grand Valley November 12. His visit is part of Grand Valley’s Native American Heritage Month celebration. 

Mills won a gold medal in the 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Olympic Games in Toyko, making him the only American to win the Olympic gold in this event. During his presentation, Mills will share his stories about growing up as an orphan on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, attending the University of Kansas on a track scholarship and overcoming cultural discrimination.

Billy Mills: “Global Unity”
Monday, November 12
4-5:30 p.m.
Cook-DeWitt Center, Allendale Campus

The event is free and open to the public. Mills’ visit is sponsored by Grand Valley’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and is in conjunction with the Professional of Color Lecture Series.