Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host author and inspirational speaker Michael Hingson in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium. The presentation will be followed by a meet and greet with book signing. This year marks the 24th anniversary of the tragic events that forever changed his life and launched his career as one of America’s most compelling speakers.

On September 11, 2001, Hingson and his guide dog, Roselle, escaped from the 78th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center, descending 78 flights of stairs moments before the building collapsed. This harrowing experience became the foundation for Hingson’s message of overcoming fear, building trust, and finding strength in the face of unimaginable adversity. Hingson is the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller “Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, his Guide Dog & the Triumph of Trust,” which has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. His second book, “Running with Roselle,” was written specifically for young audiences to help them understand one of America’s darkest days. His latest work, “Live Like a Guide Dog,” released in August 2024, teaches readers how to control fear and avoid becoming “blinded by fear in the face of crisis.”