Three-time gold medalist Aly Raisman visiting Northwest on April 23

Northwest Missouri State University will host one of the most decorated American gymnasts of all time for two lectures on its campus next month.

Aly Raisman, who served as the team captain of the United States’ gold-medal-winning women’s gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, will visit Northwest on Thursday, April 23. She will give lectures at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

Both lectures are free and open to the public, but tickets must be reserved by visiting www.nwmissouri.edu/getinvolved/sac/events.htm. The ticket link also allows attendees to submit questions to Raisman for a Q&A portion of her lecture.

Aly Raisman

“We had an opportunity to work with members and organizations within the Maryville community to bring a speaker to campus that touches on a variety of topics that we see impacting the Maryville community, Northwest students and the region,” Faith Thompson, the director of student involvement at Northwest, said. “I think everyone will take something different away from hearing Aly speak that can impact them in different ways.”

Raisman captured the hearts of millions of people when she became the first American gymnast to win a gold medal on the floor exercise at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and then cemented her status as a gymnastics legend at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she helped guide the U.S. team to gold and earned a silver medal in the all-around competition. 

As a leader on and off the gym floor, Raisman uses her platform to help normalize conversations about mental health, encourage positive body image and promote the importance of self-care. She is a two-time New York Times best-selling author for her memoir, “Fierce,” and her children’s book, “From My Head to My Toes.”

Raisman also is an on-air analyst for ESPN’s college gymnastics broadcast and a sought-after brand ambassador and keynote speaker. Inspired by an army of survivors, Raisman is a leading advocate for systemic change in the sport of gymnastics and the eradication of sexual abuse.

The Student Activities Council (SAC) at Northwest is sponsoring the lecture in collaboration with Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville, the Nodaway County Commission and the Northwest Missouri Cooperative Mental Health Board.

SAC plans and administers activities at Northwest to contribute to a more well-rounded social, recreational and cultural life for the campus and community. The organization provides entertaining alternatives to students with late-night activities and events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, movies and comedians.

For more information, contact Thompson at faitht@nwmissouri.edu.