Former Congresswoman Giffords To Speak at UNI’s Hearst Lecture Series

The UNI Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders announced Thursday it will host former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her longtime speech-language pathologist for the 2026 Hearst Lecture Series in April. Giffords and Dr. Fabi Hirsch Kruse will give a Q&A-style presentation about Giffords’ recovery from a traumatic brain injury she sustained after an assassination attempt on her life during a constituent event in Tucson, Arizona in 2011. Her brain injury caused Aphasia, a speech and language disorder. Through years of intensive therapy and support from Dr. Fabi Hirsch Kruse and UNI alum Angie Brace Glynn, Giffords regained her ability to speak publicly.  The event will be held April 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required through a link that can be accessed on the UNI’s website.