Presenter at Wesorick Lectureship will discuss purposeful life

Participants at the fifth annual Distinguished Wesorick Lectureship will learn about living a purposeful life from someone who thought his world had ended.

Victor Strecher is the author of "Life on Purpose: How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything." Strecher's life changed after his daughter, Julia, died from a rare heart disease. He coupled his grief with his research and background in behavioral science to pinpoint the impact of purpose in life and how it impacts overall health and happiness.

The event is set for March 21 from 6-7 p.m. at the DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public; it will be followed by an author reception and opportunity to purchase Strecher's book. It is approved for LIB 100 courses. Seating is limited, register online at gvsu.edu/wesorick. 

Evelyn Clingerman, executive director of The Bonnie Wesorick Center for Health Care Transformation, said Strecher's moving story links real-world experience with scientific evidence. 

"He explains how living a purposeful life increases our quality and longevity of life and diminishes our risk for certain long-term chronic health conditions," Clingerman said.

Strecher is also professor and director for Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He founded HealthMedia, a company that develops tailored health interventions; in 2008, the company was purchased by Johnson & Johnson.

The Wesorick Center is an endowed center promoting interprofessional collaboration through the Kirkhof College of Nursing.