Author David H. Sylvester to Speak at W&L
David H. Sylvester, author of Traveling at the Speed of Life, will give a talk at Washington and Lee University on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library. It is free and open to the public.
The title of Sylvester’s talk is the same as the title of his book. Award-winning documentarian, founder of Contribute2 (a charitable organization established to inspire and motivate people all over the world to do something to make the world a better place) and writer of numerous articles in addition to his book, Sylvester is best known for his ability to touch and motivate.
When a good friend of Sylvester’s died in the World Trade Center on 9/11, he rode his bike from Washington State to Philadelphia, Sylvester’s home, to honor his friend, to raise money for a scholarship fund and to connect with people. But that wasn’t all.
He kept riding – through Africa and Asia and then North America again, was asked to write an article about his travels and then took time out to write his memoir. Sylvester’s message to the people he met across three continents and more, was simple: “Find your bike.” It translates to finding your passion and now, 10 years later, Sylvester spreads his inspirational messages on the pages of his book.
Melina Bell, associate professor of philosophy at W&L, got to know him when she was in the Ph.D. program at the University of Pennsylvania and Sylvester was a personal trainer there. Bell said, “David gave me the confidence to take on the first bodybuilding competition I participated in.
“Bodybuilding is still an important part of my life, and David was the one who brought me into it and taught me the most of what I know about it. David is an inspiration, and I’m glad he has immortalized his inspirational spirit in Traveling at the Speed of Life.”
Sylvester’s talk is sponsored by the Department of Philosophy at W&L.
Sylvester will be interviewed on WLUR, W&L’s radio station, by Director of International Education Larry Boetsch, the host of the international education show, Radio IE, at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15.
News Contact:
Julie Cline
News Writer
jcline@wlu.edu
540-458-8954
