Just one day after 18 people were killed after an act of gun violence in Maine, David Hogg, who survived one of the deadliest school shootings in America, spoke to a full house at Elizabethtown College on Thursday, Oct. 26 during the College’s lecture series. 

Hogg was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fl. when a lone gunman killed 17 people with an assault rifle. He immediately began anti-gun violence advocacy work and co-founded March For Our Lives, a student-led organization that puts on protests and other events to advocate for gun control legislation. Hogg co-authored a book, “#NeverAgain,” with his sister and recently created a political action committee, Leaders We Deserve, to help progressive candidates get elected. 

Hogg began the day on Thursday by visiting Adjunct Professor Kristin Kurjiaka’s Social Problems and The Response of Welfare Institutions class. Each week, the class dives into a new social justice issue, like gender, race and poverty. In preparation for Hogg’s visit, the class had a unit on gun violence and read his book. Each student prepared a question and was able to directly ask Hogg.

“I’m extremely grateful that I was able to be in the class and create such a personal connection,” sophomore Madilyn Fratis said. “Talking to somebody who has survived the tragedy of gun violence is such a better way to learn.”

After his time in the class, Hogg spoke in Leffler Chapel for the lecture series. His speech was titled, “Engage in the Change: Owning Democracy and Not Living in Fear of Ending Gun Violence.” 

He began by telling his experience at the Parkland shooting and delved into the causes of the shooting. Hogg also told the story of how he and his peers created March For Our Lives, including their protest in Washington, D.C.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the advocacy work Hogg has done so young and his call to action for the young people on campus,” Fratis said. “It was just so impactful and moving.” 

The lecture was free for Etown students and students had to register before the event. Some professors offered extra credit as an incentive for students to go. 

Hogg was met with applause after his speech and many students found the event thought-provoking.

“It was amazing to hear about how he took the horrible and traumatic experience he went through at Parkland and turned it into something that has become his greatest passion,” sophomore Ellie Fasick said. “He has accomplished so much through his activism in such a short time and he is proof that young people can create change in the world.” 

Hogg’s lecture was made possible by a gift from three donors, listed as Linda ‘67, H ‘03 and Patrick Castagna.

Future Leffler lecturers include White House Coronavirus Task Force Whistleblower Olivia Troye, CEO Daymond John and journalist Jemele Hill.