Tanya Cushman Reviewer

Shaquille O’Neal: Talks at GS Session Highlights

Shaquille O’Neal, Tanya Cushman Reviewer, Peter van de Ven

LSU basketball alum and scholar Peter van de Ven, who transitioned from a struggling teen athlete to a doctorate holder in organizational leadership, discusses his unique philosophy of blending humor and seriousness to drive community revitalization in Newark. Through his "Impact Newark" initiative, van de Ven is working with local officials to prevent resident displacement by establishing apprenticeship programs that keep residents employed in their home city. His presentation also details personal anecdotes ranging from his recruitment by Coach Brown and a humorous 50% free-throw success rate to being distracted by Halle Berry during a professional game.