Dr. Tim Cordes never let a lack of eyesight keep him from achieving his goals. He earned a doctorate in biomolecular chemistry and a doctor of medicine from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is believed to be the only person who is blind to obtain these dual degrees.

Cordes, a practicing psychiatrist, will share his message on the perceptions of ability and disability in a campuswide presentation as part of Civic Education Month at NDSU. He is scheduled to present “It Can Be Done” Thursday, April 10, at 4:30 p.m. in Beckwith Recital Hall of the Reineke Fine Arts Center.

Cordes will share transformational insights about his journey through medical school as a blind pioneer, student and teacher. His message concentrates on perceptions of ability and disability, and his examples demonstrate how open minds and innovation can identify both barriers and solutions.

The talk is sponsored by Advance FORWARD; the Department of Biological Sciences; Disability Services; Disability/Accessibility Initiatives Committee; Compass Program Foundation; Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach; Diversity Initiatives Grant; Equity and Diversity Center; Human Resources; Office of the Provost; and Student Activities.

Requests for reasonable accommodations based on disability can be made to Jen Erickson at 701-231-7714 or jennifer.erickson@ndsu.edu or Brittnee Steckler at 701-231-8965 or brittnee.steckler@ndsu.edu by April 1.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.