News

“Bleepfree” comedian Derrick Tennant will perform on August 23, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium as part of the NEO Welcome Week Activities and the NEO Distinguished Lecture Series. Tennant performs both comedy and inspirational talks, and the event is free to the public, with the community encouraged to attend. Derrick Tennant was a promising athlete until he suffered a coma inducing injury. Following brain surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and life in a wheelchair, he was able to regain the use of his legs. While he has limited use of the left side of his body, Tennant has used his story of recovery as the foundation of his comedy and inspirational talks. Focusing on overcoming obstacles and looking “on the RIGHT side” of situations, Tennant uses “bleepfree,” or clean comedy, to share his message of hope and love with audiences.

“The start of a new school year can be an overwhelming time for students, so we wanted to provide light-hearted and fun entertainment as part of our Welcome Week activities at NEO,” said Jennifer Hessee, executive director of the NEO Development Foundation. “Derrick Tennant has overcome a lot of obstacles in his life and has managed to always keep his sense of humor. He performs across the globe and has a story that will inspire and entertain people of all ages.”

The Oklahoma State Regents’ Endowment Trust Fund supports the free events of the Distinguished Lecture Series, which is co-sponsored by NEO and the NEO Development Foundation. The fund was established in 1988 to strengthen academic programs and enhance the quality of higher education in Oklahoma. The lecture series is designed to bring nationally known speakers to campus who are relevant in politics, science, literature, and popular culture. These events are sure to enlighten, entertain, and inform. For more information about the Distinguished Lecture Series, contact the NEO Development Foundation at 918-540-6250.