The Wittenberg Series begins the academic year 2015-2016 with the traditional Opening Convocation, featuring a keynote address by champion Paralympian Sandy Dukat, Wittenberg class of 1994, at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, in historic Weaver Chapel.

Dukat’s address is titled “Power of Possibility – Achieving Your Gold Medal Dream.” Dukat’s career demonstrates the strength of her determination and belief in the power of human beings to realize their ambition and overcome obstacles to success. An accomplished athlete, Dukat joined the U.S. Disabled Ski Team in 2000 and won her first Paralympic gold medal in 2005. Born with an underdeveloped limb, Dukat underwent a leg amputation above the knee at age 4.

Dukat joined the swim team at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in 1996 and began swimming with the U.S. Disabled Swim Team, setting an American record in the 800-meter freestyle at the 1998 Disabled Swimming World Championships. A 1997 trip to The Hartford Ski Spectacular, the nation’s largest ski event for people with disabilities, sparked her interest in winter sports.

Dukat joined the U.S. Disabled Ski Team and earned two bronze medals at the 2002 Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the 2004 World Championships in Austria, Dukat skied her way to three bronze medals. She won her first gold medal at the North American World Cup in 2005 and captured the bronze in the slalom at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Torino, Italy.

After retiring from competition in July 2007, Dukat teamed with four other women with disabilities to climb Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. 

In 2008, Dukat won both the World Triathlon Championships in Vancouver, Canada, for the female above the knee amputee category as well as the U.S. Disabled National Triathlon Championships.  In 2009, she ran her first marathon and set the record for women competing in her category. In 2010, for the 4th consecutive year, Dukat won the U.S. Paratriathlon Nationals for the female above the knee amputee category.  

In addition to presenting the keynote address, Dukat will participate in a colloquium at 4 p.m. in Bayley Auditorium, Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center. All Wittenberg Series events are free and open to the public.

Now in its 33rd year, the Wittenberg Series brings distinguished lecturers and performing artists of national and international prominence to the Wittenberg campus and Springfield community. To make special arrangements, reserve a Series poster, or become a friend of the Wittenberg Series, contact Nuggie Libecap at libecapn@wittenberg.edu.