VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

Renowned author and researcher Jack Horner will present the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education’s fifth annual Ruth Harris Lecture in Dyslexia Studies.

The free lecture takes place Monday, Oct. 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons, followed by a light reception.

Horner, one of the world’s most famous paleontologists, will talk about his childhood struggle with dyslexia and his dreams of becoming a paleontologist.

While Horner never obtained a bachelor’s degree because his dyslexia prevented him from passing a foreign language course, he did earn an honorary doctorate of science from the University of Montana. He overcame dyslexia to become an internationally renowned paleontologist, working as a professor and curator at a university, and as a consultant to Steven Spielberg, serving as the inspiration for “Jurassic Park”’s Dr. Alan Grant. He is also a winner of the MacArthur Genius Award for his work in paleontology.

The Ruth Harris Professorship in Dyslexia Studies was created from a gift made by Ruth and Louis Harris to the VCU School of Education in 2007. The fund seeks to enhance the work in the field of language learning and reading disabilities with a focus on dyslexia.