College of Education faculty, staff, students and members of the community filled Cullen Performance Hall to hear the inspirational words from John Kuhn, Perrin-Whitt CISD Superintendent and educational activist.  He leads a small district in Perrin-Whitt, but became well-known for his "Alamo Letter" to state lawmakers as massive budget cuts loomed in 2011. Kuhn inspired students, faculty, staff, and community partners with advice for making the new academic year meaningful and productive. 

“First Lecture is always an exciting event and a wonderful way to begin the new term,” said Andrea Burridge, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the College of Education. “It gives our students, faculty, and staff a chance to come together as a community and see what education is all about.”

In addition to members of the educational community, the event included children and faculty from the UH Charter School.  Rozina Chowdry's fifth grade Voyager class at the UH Charter School opened the event by performing an original poem written by the students entitled The Future is in Our Hands.  They also performed the song Am I Wrong by Nico and Vince. The students thoroughly charmed the audience, and it was a great opening to Kuhn's lecture. 

Kuhn's presentation focused on advice for future teachers and human services professionals.  "The first piece of advice I have for you is let the waves carry you. You don't know what's ahead." said Kuhn. "You don't know where you'll teach, where you'll be a counselor, you don't know if you'll move from teaching into administration, so let the waves carry you and find your purpose,"

After Kuhn’s speech Dean Robert McPherson led a question and answer session.  COE students prepared questions for Kuhn and he answered them with purpose and humor. Upon exiting Cullen Performance Hall attendees were greeted outside of by COE staff volunteers passing out dream pops.

During his first year as Dean, McPherson created the “First Lecture Series” in fall 2011 as an initiative to usher in the new academic year positively and with inspiration. Other featured speakers have been award-winning educator John Hunter, decorated veteran and Navy SEAL Eric Greitens, former NASA astronaut Bonnie Dunbar and N.Y. Times best-selling Author Ron Clark.