The UNI Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is excited to announce that former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her longtime speech-language pathologist, Dr. Fabi Hirsch Kruse, will speak at the 2026 Hearst Lecture. Through a Q&A-style presentation, the pair will reflect on Giffords’ recovery from a traumatic brain injury, highlighting the role of speech-language therapy – and resilience – in reclaiming communication.
The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 8, 2026, in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on campus. The event is free and open to the public, though advance registration is required.
Giffords – who is recognized as a symbol of strength and optimism – continues to inspire through her story of recovery and perseverance. As the youngest woman ever to serve in the Arizona state senate and later a rising leader in the U.S. Congress, she earned a reputation for integrity and an unwavering commitment to public service.
Her life changed on January 8, 2011, when she survived an assassination attempt during a constituent event in Tucson, Arizona. Although her intellect remained fully intact, the brain injury caused Aphasia, a speech and language disorder that makes it difficult to translate thoughts into words.
Through years of intensive therapy and support from speech-language pathologists – including Dr. Fabi Hirsch Kruse and Angie Brace Glynn – who is a UNI alum – Giffords regained her ability to speak publicly.
Today, Giffords and Kruse appear together on-stage in a Q&A-style program featuring clips from the acclaimed 2022 documentary “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down.”
Giffords’ courage and advocacy have earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award and recognition as one of TIME’s Most Influential People.
“Hosting Gabby Giffords and Dr. Fabi Hirsch Kruse is an extraordinary opportunity for our students, faculty and community,” said Jennifer Garrett, head of UNI’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “All people have a fundamental right to communicate and speech-language pathologists are vital to promoting full participation. We are deeply honored to welcome both of these speakers to campus.”
For more information and to register, visit the UNITix website.
The program is offered by Keppler Speakers, Giffords’ and Kruse’s exclusive representative for speaking engagements.
