Campus Life

Michealis to present 'My Life After Hate' for Umbaugh Lecture

DUBOIS, Pa. — A former leader of white supremacist groups, Arno Michaelis, during the Umbaugh Lecture at Penn State DuBois will present his story on how he turned his life around. The event is planned for 12:15 p.m. on Monday, April 23, in the Hiller Auditorium. Made possible by the generosity of Robert and Joyce Umbaugh, the Umbaugh Lecture features a diverse blend of speakers to the campus each year. The lecture is free and open to the public.

According to Michaelis, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was a founding member of a notorious worldwide racist skinhead organization, a reverend of a self-declared racial holy war, and front man of the hate-metal band Centurion, which sold 20,000 CDs by the mid-90s and is still popular with racists today.

Single parenthood, love for his daughter, and the forgiveness shown by people he once hated all helped to turn Arno’s life around, bringing him to embrace diversity and practice gratitude for all life. Author of "My Life After Hate," Arno travels extensively, sharing his ongoing process of character development in an effort to counter the cycle of violence he once perpetuated.

Michaelis has actively spoken on numerous major TV programs, providing a keen and astute understanding of what drives hate, and the tools we all have to combat it.

Arno Michaelis will present his story on how he turned his life away from hate at this year's Umbaugh Lecture at Penn State DuBois. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated April 17, 2018