After being recognized at several Hollywood award shows for a movie based on her life, Temple Grandin, renowned agricultural scientist, will visit Auburn Thursday.
She will speak as part of the College of Agriculture's York Distinguished Lecturer Series.
"I'm very excited to be coming down to Auburn," Grandin said. "I don't think I've ever been there, but I'm really looking forward to coming."
Deborah Solie, student services coordinator for the College of Agriculture, said the selection committee for the lecture wanted a renowned lecturer who has made an impact.
"Dr. Grandin's name came up instantly," Solie said. "We have gotten a lot of interest about her visit--it's been nonstop."
Grandin was recently listed in Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world for 2010.
The lecture, titled "Improving Animal Research: A Practical Approach," will start at 7 p.m. in the Student Center ballroom.
Grandin said she will be speaking on the behavior of cattle during handling and how facilities should be specially designed and built to keep cattle calm.
Grandin, who has autism, could not speak until she was 4 years old.
She has become an autism advocate and said she considers her autism to be the main reason for her success in the agricultural field.
Grandin said she is primarily a visual thinker and words are her second language.
Rhonda Bogus, disabilities specialist at Auburn, said her department is excited to have this nationally-recognized advocate come to Auburn.
"We've been showing her presentation on autism since it came out," Bogus said.
Grandin is also an advocate for respectful treatment of animals. She is best known for designing a corral with a sweeping curve that keeps cattle calm as they are being led to slaughter.
An HBO film based on Grandin's life titled "Temple Grandin" was released in February. Starring Claire Danes in the title role, the film went on to win five Emmys and one Golden Globe.
Solie said Grandin gained a great deal of name recognition from the film, but people in agriculture knew who she was before the movie was released.
Jackson said the lecture will probably be focused more on animal welfare than autism, but there will be a question-and-answer session in which she will probably talk about her personal experiences.
Solie said the crowd will most likely be evenly split.
"It will probably be half people who came to hear her speak on animal welfare and half people who came to hear her speak on autism," Solie said.
The lecture is free and open to the public.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
