John W. Marshall, acclaimed motivational speaker on civil rights and the son of Thurgood Marshall, will speak at Coastal Carolina University about his father's role in our nation's civil rights movement on Monday, March 24, at 6 p.m. in Wheelwright Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public, but a ticket is required.

Sixty years ago, the landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Brown v. Board of Education declared the state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students were unconstitutional. Thurgood Marshall led the legal team that argued before the Supreme Court, leading to a unanimous decision in favor of integration of public schools. As part of the African American Legacy Series, CCU will host John W. Marshall to honor the anniversary of the decision.

In 1994, John W. Marshall was appointed by President Bill J. Clinton to serve as the U.S. Marshal for the eastern district of Virginia, and in 1999, Marshall was nominated by Clinton to serve as the director of the U.S. Marshals Service. Confirmed by the U.S. senate, Marshall was the first African American to serve as the agency's director. In 2002, Gov. Mark Warner of Virginia appointed Marshall to the position of Secretary of Public Safety. He was reappointed to that position by Gov. Timothy Kaine in 2006.

Marshall is the longest serving cabinet member in the history of Virginia. He received a bachelor's degree in government from Georgetown University and a post-baccalaureate certificate in the administration of justice from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is also a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute and the Henry Toll Fellowship Program.

Wheelwright Auditorium is located at 108 Spadoni Park Circle in Conway.

For tickets and additional information, contact the Wheelwright Box Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 843-349-2787 (ARTS).