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GREG FORBES SIEGMAN
FIRST YEAR PROGRAMS - NEW STUDENT PROGRAMS - ORIENTATION PROGRAMS
BOOK SUMMARY: One page synopsis of The First Thirty
BACKGROUND: After being rejected from every college he hoped to attend, Greg eventually convinced one to give him a chance -- but he was hardly excited about the opportunity they were giving him. The school was one he knew practically nothing about, located in a part of the country where he had never been. Once he unpacked his bags and actually gave the place a chance, though, he loved it. Before long, he was elected to Class Office, joined a fraternity, launching a new volunteer program in the nearby community -- all while still managing his course load (finishing freshman year with an A in every course). In numerous media outlets and book reviews, Greg's story has been referred to as a 'case study' or 'poster child' or 'textbook example' for New College students to consider -- both, in terms of approaching your new college surroundings and new classmates with an open mind; in terms of the benefits of getting actively involved on and off campus; and in terms of how to successfully balance an interest to do things outside of class and a desire to do well academically at the same time. The First Thirty is based on Greg's true story, the first thirty years of his life and the first things he learned from his successes and failures along the way. Greg's first year of high school and first year of college are a primary focus of the story. His first year of college, in particular, is THE defining, turning point in the book. Greg is now invited regularly to speak to new college students, and the book about Greg's story (The First Thirty) is now used with New Student and Orientation Programs.
Sample of relevant MEDIA & HONORS:
= Richard's Award (top GPA in freshman class of high school)
= Named to Dean's List & National Dean's List as new high school student and as new college student
= Elected Vice President of Class as new high school student, and as new college student
= The Washington Post Co. story on Greg and Steven Spielberg, their school experience and how that impacted the rest of their lives
= College Bound magazine, Newsweek Kaplan College Guide, The Baltimore Sun, College News magazine among the publications featuring Greg's story as an example for new students
= At turn of the century, Good Morning America buried a Time Capsule chronicling Greg's efforts to break down racial and cultural barriers, and promote diversity
= Other honors include: Jefferson Award for Public Service, America's Daily Point of Light,
CBS Tylenol Hometown Hero, honored by Hasbro as one of 30 real-life America heroes, Education Center Director's Award, CBS Tylenol Hometown Hero, Simply Family's Heroes of the Year. Honored at Princeton as one of nation's top social entrepreneurs under 40.
= Other media: La Raza, USA Today, CBS, NBC, Education Week, The NonProfit Times, FOX, NPR, Volunteer Leadership Magazin
EXAMPLE OF RELEVANT SPEECHES & USE OF THE BOOKS IN CONNECTION WITH FIRST YEAR/NEW STUDENT/ORIENTATION/TRANSFER PROGRAMS:
= Asnuntuck Community College incorporated The First Thirty into their First Year Experience Program, then booked Greg to come speak to them at an event on campus
= Greg was invited to speak to First Year students at Columbia University as part of a pre-Orientation panel on Community Service (he could not
accept the invite).
= In Connectict, Rockville Bank ordered copies of The First Thirty for 50 students to read during the summer before they started high school. Rockville Bank also sponsored a college scholarship for the winner of an essay contest based on the book for college-bound students.
= Greg keynoted the St. John's University Gear Up Life After High School program. In conjunction with the event, they ordered hundreds of copies of The First Thirty and its companion workbook A Place To Sit for the students.
= Sufffield High School, in conjunction with local community website MyTownHall.info, ordered a copy of The First Thirty for every graduate in the class of 2005, to read before they began college.
== In another instance, Greg was brought to Texas to speak to new college students.
= North Community Bank ordered copies of The First Thirty for students who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and had to transfer to another schoo
= Greg and Nobel Peace Prize Honoree Elie Wiesel were invited to be the two speakers at a Day of Tolerance (Greg spoke during the day, Wiesel spoke in the evening).
= Keynoted Global Fair for high school students in New Hampshire
= A high school in Connecticut used The First Thirty in conjunction with Tuesdays with Morrie.
= Invited to speak at universities like Boston College, GW and University of Connecticut on topic of multiculturalism and diversity.
= Invited to keynote annual event on Community Service, Multiculturalism hosted by local Mayors in Minnesota.
== Guest lectured Global Social Entrepreneurship Course at Daniels College of Business == Invited to keynote event for top donors of Menorah Park in Ohio.== Fresno State Leadership Program did a group-wide reading of the book== Suffield Rotary Club in CT ordered copies of The First Thirty for local students to learn more about philanthropy. .== Greg (and John Sculley - former CEO of Apple & IBM) spoke at the Valley Business Conference. == Tosca Restaurant ordered copies of The First Thirty for students in their area== California-based BennettFrost Personnel Services Inc. ordered dozens of copies of The First Thirty so that local Business School students studying Entrepreneurship could read the book. BennettFrost also did a Staff-Wide reading of the book. == The nonprofit organization, One by One Leadership, ordered copies of The First Thirty to give to top donors. == Genesis Mitzvah Fund & Justice Squared in Minnesota ordered hundreds of copies of The First Thirty -- one for each of their teen philanthropists -- and brought Greg to speak to them about social action & philanthropy.
== The NY Giants (NFL) sponsored an essay contest based on the book for high school students in NY.
== In Minnesota, the Vikings (NFL) purchased copies of The First Thirty for local middle school students and sponsored an essay contest based on the book for them
SAMPLE OF FEEDBACK FROM GREG'S SPEECHES:
"Greg set the tone for our 'Life after high school' program. His presentation was incredible!! Based on the students evaluations, they greatly appreciated what he had to say and the fact that he didn't just come to lecture [them]...His visit has inspired our staff to read "The First Thirty" together as a unit so that we can make the St. John's University stronger..." - Yvette Morgan, St. John's Gear
Up
"A story filled with magic and wonder and surprises and happiness and sadness and everything else a fairy tale has, right down to the happy ending." - Tiffany Norwood, Howard University student
"I wrote an essay about Greg for a course I am taking -- comparing his story and what he's done with Ralph Waldo Emerson's book Experience, and one of Gandhi's philosophies about small actions leading to big things." -- Andrew Schaffer, Boston College student
"...We've been reading the book about Greg for my First Year Experience class and the teacher thought it would be great if the class [went to the
event]. Almost everything that Greg said connected with me on a personal level...I really like the fact that Greg shared with us that in order to help someone else it takes three nothings: No knowledge, No money and No experience. I never thought of it that way. After the assembly, I realized that he was right. I looked back at when I have helped others and have seen that it hasn't taken me any money, knowledge or experience...." - David B, Student, Asnuntuck Community College
"I'm one of the First Year students at Asnuntuck Community College...I read the book The First Thirty in class and it really changed my outlook of how just saying hello to someone can change everything, and that person could end up being the best friend you'll ever have...I thank Greg so much for taking the time to visit us at the school, I am honored to have met him and thankful that he was able to sign my book." - Kylee, student, Asnuntuck Community College
"I'm in the school of management here and hearing him talk was extremely helpful because I sometimes struggle with the idea of possibly making a
lot of money in the future...and still staying grounded in my beliefs such as helping others -- which is more of how I see myself...everyone
I talked to loved the speech -- definitely worth the time." --Micah, Boston College student (MA)
FOR MORE FEEDBACK FROM EVENTS, CLICK HERE
SAMPLE OF REVIEWS OF THE FIRST THIRTY
"A great story of redemption and determination...a virtual case study for First Year Experience programs...a blueprint for new college students."
- Amy Pszczolkowski, Office of the President and First Year Experience professor, Asnuntuck Community College
"It's essential that college students make the connection between what they are doing now and what they want to achieve after they leave here. The First Thirty could not only help our students see that connection but also give them practical tools that they can start using right away." - Leah Jones, Office of Student Life, University of Missouri - St. Louis
"A remarkable story of strength and conviction filled with lessons that will take every student through the college years and beyond." - College News
"A poignant story that epitomizes the evolution of never-ending struggles into ever-lasting legacies." -Russell M. Frye II, Morehouse College Student
"Greg's story ranks right up there with Rocky, Forrest Gump, and the other classic underdog stories of our time." - Brendan Sage, Boston College student "The First Thirty should be read by any college bound student or anyone with hopes in making a difference. Student's everywhere can easily relate to
Greg Siegman's story and sense of humor. This book encourages us to seek a cause we are so passionate about that nothing else matters -
not even wearing the same color socks." - Natalie, High school student, California
"This should be required reading in business school. It's a case study in how to start small, think big and lead by example." - Bob Middlemas, Executive Vice President, Nordstrom
"For anyone who's been knocked down or told, "you can't do it," The First Thirty is an uplifting read that will make you want to get up, shake yourself off, have a milkshake, and get back to work...." Jarah Euston, FresnoFamous.com
"The First Thirty illustrates the responsibilities we have as parents, grandparents, teachers and business leaders to influence the people around us...Every teacher should make The First Thirty required reading. It's William Saroyan for the next generation." - Sam Geil, President, Geil Enterprises Inc
"An American tale with global relevance, The First Thirty illustrates the ability within each of us to help bridge the divisions that have separated so many for so long." - Peter K, High School student (Kenya)
"An inspiring reminder that, whether it's the other side of the world, the other side of the country, or just the other side of the tracks, if you end up in a place you never expected to be and dare to explore it, you just may find your passion in the process." - Jeanne-Marie, Student, Louisiana State University
For more on Greg, go to www.GregForbes.com
For more on the book, go to www.TheFirstThirty.com
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