Lecture to discuss how to succeed

Eric Thomas, a motivational speaker, will be speaking to students today in the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center about academic, social and professional success.\nThe lecture, “Only the Strong Survive,” is sponsored by the Office of Mentoring Services and Leadership Development in collaboration with Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., said Cameron Beatty, academic mentoring coordinator for the Office of Mentoring Services and Leadership Development.\nThomas, who heads an organization called “The Advantage,” became involved in theft and gambling by the time he was 18 years old, but turned his life around after meeting a pastor, according to his Web site. Thomas went on to obtain his undergraduate degree in business management from Oakwood College in Huntsville, Ala.\n“The Advantage” targets academically at-risk minority students, hoping to increase graduation rates, according to his Web site. His organization is made possible through peer mentoring, study groups, motivational exercises and leadership training.\nIn order to convey a message to students, Thomas uses a method called “edutainment,” which uses hip hop, music, theater and art to provide an educational message, said Patrick Smith, director of the Office of Mentoring Services and Leadership Development.\nThomas will be speaking at 7 p.m. today in room A201 of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.