Republican-primary presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson will keynote Judson University’s seventh annual World Leaders Forum, set for April 20, 2017.

The university announced this week that Dr. Carson — the emeritus professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine — will headline the Elgin campus forum held each year “with the intent to inspire and ignite a flame of leadership for all who attend.”

All proceeds are donated to the Entrepreneurship Program and the World Leaders Forum Scholarship Fund and are put towards educating tomorrow’s leaders.

Two events will take place on the afternoon of April 20, the VIP Reception and Keynote Address at the Hilton Chicago Hotel for sponsors and supporters and the Community Event at Judson University in Elgin, open to the Judson Community and general public.

A political leader and physician, Carson skyrocketed to worldwide fame as a top-polling 2016 Republican candidate for President of the United States. Carson presently serves as the national chairman of My Faith Votes, a nonpartisan organization that focuses on motivating Christian Americans to vote.

Carson was named one of the nation’s top 20 physicists and scientists by CNN and TIME magazine in 2001 and holds more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for his pioneering work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2008), the nation’s highest award for civilians.

In 1987, as Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Carson successfully separated Siamese twins who were conjoined at the back of the head — the first and only successful surgery of its type to this day. His achievements also include successfully completing surgery on a fetus still in the womb and developing new methods for the treatment of brain tumors and seizures.

Carson has authored nine books, four of which focus on providing inspiration and insight for leading a successful life.

Community Event Thursday, April 20, 2017

The Community Event aims to train and inspire future world leaders. This event is open to a larger audience than the VIP Event, including Judson students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. The Community Event will feature a keynote address by Dr. Ben Carson followed by a Q&A Session.

The Community Event takes place at Judson University in Elgin. Doors open for the event at 1 p.m. and the event will begin around 2 p.m. Pricing information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the ticket purchasing website below. If you have additional questions, please contact Judson University.

• When: 2 p.m. April 20, 2017
• Where: Judson University, 1151 N. State St., Elgin, IL 60123
• General Admission: $65

VIP Event at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 20

The VIP Reception will feature Dr. Ben Carson’s Private Keynote Address.

This year’s event will take place at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. Hors d’oeuvres will be served during the VIP reception and all attendees of the VIP event will receive a special commemorative gift and a photo opportunity with Dr. Carson. A portion of the ticket is tax deductible. All proceeds are donated to the Entrepreneurship Program and the World Leaders Forum Scholarship Fund and are put towards educating tomorrow’s leaders.

• When: 5 p.m. April 20, 2017
• Where: Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605
• VIP Tickets: $2,000

For VIP Tickets, please contact Jessica Bunn at 847-628-2076 or by email at jessica.bunn@judsonu.edu

SOURCE: Judson University website

About Judson University

Judson University, a Christian college nestled along the Fox River in the city of Elgin, is home to more than 1,250 students from 30 states and 20 countries. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, minors and pre-professional programs and is currently the only evangelical Christian college or university to offer a fully-accredited graduate program in architecture. For more information, visit the Judson University website.