Testimonials
“Michael-
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the speech you delivered to our group on Friday, December 5, 2008. Each year as we plan our holiday
party, we look to strike a balance between a scheduled “program” and time for our employees to simply enjoys themselves and the company of others. At
the same time, this is the one time each year that we have a majority of employees together so to find a medium to deliver a powerful message is goal that
I’m not sure we were able to achieve until this year. Your presentation to our group about your story as it relates to surviving the 9-11 terror attacks,
focusing on the present, using teamwork, and never giving up provided the perfect message to our group about “getting on the bus” during these times of
growth and change and to always be willing to be open to new challenges.
It was a pleasure to learn more about your time with the Guide Dogs for the Blind and to meet Africa. I’m certain she will grow into her new role beautifully!
I’m very appreciative of your flexibility regarding the timing of our event, the time allotted for you to speak, and really learning and knowing about
our organization on such short notice.
Again, you did an amazing job and I look forward to future opportunities to work together. If you have other groups that want to speak to me regarding
our experience and the energy you brought to the Globe team, feel free to have them contact me.
Thanks again and the best of the holiday season to you and your family.
Jeanne Herrmann
Chief Operating Officer
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business
Utah Career College
Minnesota School of Cosmetology
Ph- (651) 332-8012 Fax- (651) 332-8001
Cell Phone – (612) 414-7798
8089 Globe Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125″
“Your suggested strategies for healing resonated with our audience and your presence helped to reaffirm our core principles of community, peace and tolerance. Yours was a timely message in this critical time in our country and our lives.”
—Gustav W. Friedrich, chair Committee to Advance Our Common Purposes, Rutgers University
“We had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Hingson and his Guide Dog ‘Roselle’ to speak at our annual employee banquet. He surpassed all our expectations and with his story, we had our largest public gathering ever. The speech was powerful, moving, honest and professional. I wish everyone in the world could hear the message of hope, independence and empowerment from Mr. Hingson.”
—David C.Austin, Director of Communications, Envision
Last week, Michael Hingson and Roselle spent some time on the Scripps College campus. It was a pleasure to have them with us, and many dog-loving students Were especially happy for the chance to pet Roselle. Michael attended a luncheon presentation on a trip to China by one of our staff, and that evening he gave a riveting talk to about one hundred enthralled members of the Scripps College, Claremont Colleges and local city community (including one other guide dog team and a woman who has a breeder dog for another guide dog association).
I have been president at Scripps for fourteen years; before that, I spent two years as an administrator at Dartmouth College. As you may imagine, I have heard literally hundreds of presentations. Never before have I seen a presenter hold an audience for nearly two hours without anyone moving—especially when the audience included a handful of children ages ten to fourteen. Michael’s combination of seriousness, openness, humor and heart were amazing. He conveyed to us his parent’s optimism and belief that he could do anything; he made us feel the sting of discrimination he encountered growing up and later in business, and I don’t think we will ever forget it.
Most amazingly, he gave us a personal insight into history. We could hear the plane hit the tower and feel the room move on September 11th. We felt our way with him and Roselle down the stairs, with burn victims passing and firemen going up past them, and finally out into the street. We learned a bit about how it felt for him to finally reach home that night. But most of all, we needed to hear Michael’s message that he is not bitter and filled with hatred, that bullets and bombs are not the answer to the tragedy, any more than tears are.
Finally, by letting us into his life, we saw and understood something about the partnership he has had with all of his guide dogs…
As the head of an organization, I always want to know that we are well represented to the outside world. You are not well represented—you are superbly represented by Michael and Roselle…
—Nancy Y. Bekavac, President, Scripps College
“I have given links to your website to several people. And since I last emailed you several more people have told me how touched they were by your presentation, and how it was the best safety meeting they have ever seen. You will recall that this is a pretty tough group. I also overheard two men talking about the presentation. One asked what the other thought about the meeting. The other said “At last, a meaningful safety meeting, especially the message about teamwork. And did you notice, you could have heard a pin drop in that gym!”
—Pam Pring, Exxon-Mobil
“I would like to take this time to express my appreciation for the presentation that you provided us at the Pacific Northwest Animal Care and Control Training conference. The presentation you gave to our group was informative and heartfelt. As I sat in the audience and listened to you describe your experiences with ‘Roselle’ I came to realize the intricacy of not just the human/ animal bond that you both share, but the working partnership as well. I was approached by many of my colleagues who had nothing but words of praise for you and how you left a positive impression.”
— Paul Delgado, Conference Coordinator, Washington Animal Control Association
“I just wanted to send a quick note of thanks and to tell you how delighted we were to have Michael Hingson speak at the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind’s 85th Anniversary Dinner last week. I am confident that I speak for everyone who attended in saying that Mr. Hingson’s presence made the event a huge success. Over 360 guests attended, earning the Blind Association nearly $18,000 and over 200 new friends. On behalf of everyone at the Greater Wilkes- Barre Association for the Blind, I wish to thank you for sharing this wonderful individual with us. Mr. Hingson is not only a most effective spokesman for Guide Dogs for the Blind, but for all blind individuals.”
— Ron Petrilla, Executive Director, Greater Wilkes-Barre Association For the Blind
“Thank you for the great session with the Hartz employees. You have motivated everyone by showing that life is a series of choices.”
— Robert Devine, President,Hartz Mountain Corporation
“I can’t tell you how many attendees sought me out to tell me how much they were inspired by your words. We were all touched.”
– Ann Gregory, Marin County Retired Employees Association