New York Times bestselling author Cheryl Strayed will speak at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena & Events Center at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28. Strayed will discuss her memoir, “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” which tells the story of her transformational journey. Following her lecture Strayed will sign copies of “Wild.”
Strayed was in her 20s when her mother died at a young age after a brief illness, her family scattered and her marriage crumbled. She made the most impulsive decision of her life when, with no experience or training, she hiked more than 1,000 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail which spans from the bottom of California to the top of Washington state. “It was during my journey I came to terms with my life and became in touch with my rage about my mother’s death,” Strayed said. “I needed to get to the other side of my grief. The trail enabled me to do that.” In 2014 “Wild” was turned into a movie starring Academy Award winning actress Reese Witherspoon.
Strayed’s “Wild” is being read by students campus-wide as part of a year-long common read. Numerous campus activities are being conducted in conjunction with the common read including:
- Photography exhibit which consists of students holding signs stating their goals for the semester.
- Challenges in Coulter Library which correspond to dates when Strayed reached certain locations on her hike.
- Journal making, photo booth and graffiti activities in the Gordon Student Center.
- Screening of the movie “Wild” on campus.
Strayed’s Sept. 28 appearance is free for all OCC students and employees and $5 for all others. Tickets can be purchased by calling the SRC Arena & Events Center at 498-2772. The SRC Arena & Events Center is located on the OCC campus at 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215.
