Professor, Survivor and Activist to Speak During Sexual Assault Awareness Month at SUNY Canton

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Laura Gray-Rosendale is a professor of English at Northern Arizona University who survived a brutal sexual assault while attending college. She will be sharing her story April 13 at SUNY Canton.

CANTON, NY (04/02/2015)(readMedia)-- A noted author, English professor and a sexual assault survivor is sharing her story of trauma and recovery at SUNY Canton.

Laura Gray-Rosendale, Ph.D., will be speaking at 6 p.m. Monday, April 13, in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center's Kingston Theater. The presentation will be free and open to the public.

"Sexual violence is among the most crucial issues of our day on university campuses across the United States," Gray-Rosendale said. "Now is the time to work together against a rampant rape culture, to put in place policies and practices that will better aid survivors as well as foster more community and harmony at all of our universities."

Gray-Rosendale is the author of "College Girl: A Memoir," published by the State University of New York Press. The book details her brutal rape while she was a student at Syracuse University. Although it offers insight into her personal devastation, it also tells the story of her friendships and hope. She has spoken frequently about the need to bring the worlds of survivors and academia together in the hopes of a better future for both.

"It is important that we as a college community listen to Dr. Gray-Rosendale's message," said Courtney B. Bish, vice president for student affairs. "Although it is not an easy topic to discuss, rape and assault must not be overlooked."

The author's presentation is one of the ways that SUNY Canton is recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness month. Representatives from the college, including President Zvi Szafran, have joined with the Associated Colleges of St. Lawrence County to advocate for awareness for an upcoming special edition of "Public Eye" on WPBS.

About Dr. Laura Gray-Rosendale

Gray-Rosendale is a professor of English at Northern Arizona University and a President's Distinguished Teaching Fellow. She has published numerous articles and several books in addition to her award-winning memoir. Gray-Rosendale has spoken with students and faculty at campuses around the country about issues related to sexual violence, consulted with administrators on issues related to Title IX compliance, and published articles about sexual violence in The Chronicle of Higher Education as well as Thought & Action.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses, as well as 10 exclusively online bachelor's degrees. The college's 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

-www.canton.edu-