The UC San Diego Earl W. Edwards Lectureship on Athletics and Society Welcomes Jolinda Wade

Event details Date: Monday, July 13, 2026 Time: All day Location: 8980 - Third Floor - 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive Type: Sports Campus area: Campuswide Audience: Staff and Faculty, Alumni, Visitors, Students, Lifelong Learning About this event Jolinda Wade Rising Beyond Circumstance: Faith, Resilience, and the Power of Community A Conversation with Jolinda Wade Registration is $25 and includes admission to the lecture, a copy of Jolinda Wade's memoir Conquering Me: A Memoir of Courage, Faith, and Transfomation, and access to the VIP reception. Inspired by Earl W. Edwards' enduring commitment to scholar-athlete excellence, leadership, and educational advancement, this lectureship examines the role of athletics as a catalyst for dialogue on education, wellness, leadership, and societal impact. The UC San Diego Earl W. Edwards Lectureship on Athletics and Society is honored to welcome Jolinda Wade to UC San Diego for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation exploring perserverance, leadership, faith, and the enduring impact of community in shaping lives and futures. Drawing from her life journey—including experiences of hardship, recovery, family, and personal transformation—Ms. Wade will reflect on the values of discipline, mentorship, belief, and opportunity that helped shape her path and the lives of those around her. Her story is further illuminated in her recent memoir, Conquering Me: A Memoir of Courage, Faith, and Transfomation, which chronicles her journey through adversity, addiction, faith, and renewal, and offers a powerful extension of the themes she brings to the stage. Her story offers a compelling perspective on resilience and purpose while inviting audiences to consider how faith, education, athletics, and community support can help individuals rise beyond circumstance and realize their potential. Ms. Wade's experiences also connect to broader cultural conversatiuons surrounding leadeship, family legacy, public visibility, the influence of athletics in American life, and reflections on parenting, perserverence, and personal growth. Ms. Wade is the proud mother of four children, including Olympic gold medalist and NBA Hall of Famer Dwayne Wade, who also wrote the forward to her latest book. Presented as part of the UC San Diego Earl W. Edwards Lectureship on Athletics and Society, the lecture advances dialogue at the intersection of athletics, education, wellness, culture, and lifelong learning. Books will be available for purchaese on-site, and Jolinda Wade will be available followng the moderated dialogue for a post-event book signing and audience engagement opportunity. Moderator Henry DeVries, Author, Communications Strategist, and Partner, Indie Books International Henry DeVries is a business journalist, book publisher, and bestselling author. He is the former assistant dean for external relations for the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies and past president of the UC San Diego Alumni Association. He is Official event details: https://calendar.ucsd.edu/event/the-uc-san-diego-earl-w-edwards-lectureship-on-athletics-and-society-welcomes-jolinda-wade