Sherman, Texas — Austin College will welcome founder and president of nonprofit World Without Hate, Rais Bhuiyan, as the speaker for the 2025 Cunningham Lecture. The title of his lecture is “Bridging Divides—Turning Pain into Purpose.” The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in Wright Campus Center, Mabee Hall. The event, sponsored by Austin College’s Cunningham Lectures and the Student Affairs Division, is free and open to the public.
In addition to his standing as founder and president of World Without Hate, Bhuiyan is also a 9/11 hate-crime survivor, documentary film producer, peace activist, international speaker, and renowned human rights activist. His work focuses on utilizing the transformational power of personal narrative and empathy education to help prevent and disrupt hate and violence.
In this powerful talk, Bhuiyan will share his inspiring journey of resilience, forgiveness, and transformation from surviving a hate crime to becoming a global voice for peace and healing.
Later in the day, at 3 p.m. in Ida Green Communication Center, Sally and Jim Nation Theatre, there will be a special screening of his feature length documentary, Pain and Peace. The film chronicles Bhuiyan’s story and the broader mission of turning pain into purpose through empathy dialogue, and action.
The Austin College Cunningham Lectures were established by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Shem Cunningham of Wichita Falls so that the Austin College community might benefit from the visits of distinguished speakers. Mr. Cunningham was a 1920 alumnus of Austin College.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
