The Peterson Family

The Peterson Family shares their compelling story of a single gay father & his adopted sons overcoming all odds and inspiring you to make a difference.

TOPICS


  • Diversity
  • Fraternity & Sorority Life
  • Leadership
  • Motivation & Inspiration
  • Social Justice

KEYNOTES


The Peterson Family inspires students by sharing their stories.

Getting to know

The Peterson Family

In 1998, Craig Peterson made a difference by adopting his two sons who were born with fetal alcohol syndrome. 20 years later, the Andrew and Michael are making a difference in other lives one person at a time.

As seen on ESPN Sports Center, Andrew Peterson is a 6 time gold medalist, and 5 time silver medalist for in the Special Olympics and a Boston Marathon Qualifier. Michael Peterson is a voice of inspiration singing his story of hope and acceptance. Craig Peterson is a former student affairs professional and staff member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference– now single gay father turned disability advocate committed to social change.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

To help you promote your event with The Peterson Family, CAMPUSPEAK has created promotional templates you can use. In this folder, you will find resources for social media, a promotional poster for printing, and press photos you can use for your event.
Link to Promotional Materials

LOGISTICAL MATERIALS

Below you will find logistical resources for the day of your event with The Peterson Family.

In-Person Event AV Needs (PDF)
Speaking Introduction (PDF)

SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY About The Peterson Family!

There were so many different aspects of their story that was relate-able and touched people – adoption, physical disability, learning/emotional disability, respect, bullying, hard work and determination, passing judgement based on appearance, character and many more.

— Twyla Ashman

Bolles Director Cultural Competence

KEYNOTES

Building Respect, Embracing Inclusion

Personal values and social justice. Today the two are more important than ever as students strive to find their voice and make a difference. How will you respond? Will you ignore your opportunity? Will you simply talk? Or will you commit to personal action?

As featured on ESPN Sports Center, brothers Andrew and Michael Peterson along with their adopted father Craig will take you outside your comfort zone. To walk in shoes different than your own: Intellectually disabled. Emotionally impaired. Transracial. Gay. Marginalized. Victimized. Yet invisible to most in society. Will you take a risk to learn? Will you respect and choose to include? Will you then challenge your peers to follow your lead? At the end of the day, will you live your personal values with renewed purpose?

Through personal testimony, uplifting song, honest reflection and audience interaction, the Peterson Family will share an intimate message of heart and hope. Defying the odds again and again. Achieving. Making the impossible possible. In turn, you will be moved. Realize the power within you. Be called to make a difference one person at a time.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will learn:

  • the relationship between personal values and social justice
  • The importance of stories to build bridges across communities,
  • The issues within marginalized communities and their challenges to be included,
  • the role of bias in our thought process, and
  • the ability of one person to make a difference and be committed to social change.

THE PETERSON FAMILY’S BLOGS

The following are past entries The Peterson Family has written for the CAMPUSPEAK Speaker’s Voice Blog