Lyle Quasim Talk on “The Fire Within” Rescheduled

Lyle Quasim, the retiring president of Bates Technical College and longtime social activist and political leader, will present a talk on “The Fire Within” at University of Puget Sound on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012.  

Quasim’s keynote speech for Martin Luther King Jnr. Day was delayed last week due to inclement weather. The free public event will now be held in Kilworth Memorial Chapel, 7–8:30 p.m. The celebration will also include gospel music from local artists Navele Davis & Friends. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Quasim has served in a wide range of public roles, including as chief of staff to Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, as executive and then secretary of the Washington state Department of Social and Health Services, and in roles with the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation and American Leadership Forum.

In addition, Quasim is a member of the University of Puget Sound Board of Trustees and president of the board of the Tacoma Safe Streets Campaign. He served as a medic for the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam and as a counselor at Western State Hospital. A 1970 graduate of Puget Sound, Quasim was presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by the university in 2005.