Lou Douglas Lectures
The Lou Douglas Lectures aim to expand understanding of public policy and the issues that shape our communities. These lectures contribute to the education of K-State students and others on campus and in the broader community by featuring speakers who explore public policy and examine the social, political, and economic factors that influence our world.
Known for their impact on regional, national, and global conversations, speakers are selected for their insight, experience, and commitment to strengthening communities and improving quality of life.
UFM Lou Douglas Lecture Series on Public Issues Fall 2026
“Building Better Together: Lessons in Partnership from the Autism Community”
Dr. Kerry Magro (Mah-grow), Ed.D., is an award-winning autistic professional speaker, best-selling author, and nationally recognized advocate whose work bridges lived experience and systems-level change. Nonspeaking until age 2½ and diagnosed with autism at 4, he did not speak in full sentences until age 7. Today, he has spoken at more than 1,400 events worldwide, including TEDx and Talks at Google, and serves as an autism consultant for Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum U.S. and HBO’s Mrs. Fletcher, as well as a writer for PBS Kids’ Carl the Collector. He is also the CEO and President of KFM Making A Difference, a nonprofit that supports autistic students and advances employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
In this lecture, Dr. Magro will explore how strong partnerships across schools, families, universities, employers, and community organizations can improve outcomes for neurodiverse individuals across the lifespan. Drawing on personal experience and professional expertise, he will share practical examples from education, workplace settings, and media, while emphasizing the importance of centering autistic voices and creating coordinated, responsive systems of support.
This event is part of UFM Community Learning Center’s Lou Douglas Lecture Series, which brings speakers to the K-State campus and the Manhattan community to explore public policy and the issues that shape our world. The series highlights voices that examine social, political, and economic factors and encourage thoughtful community dialogue. The lecture will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 7:00 pm at Forum Hall, K-State Student Union. Registration is free. To register, please complete this short Google Form.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Kerry Magro (Mah-grow), Ed.D., was nonspeaking until age 2.5, diagnosed with autism at 4, and did not speak in complete sentences until he was 7 years old. Today, he is an award-winning autistic professional speaker, best-selling author, and autism consultant for Netflix’s Emmy Award–winning series Love on the Spectrum U.S. and the HBO series Mrs. Fletcher. He has also contributed as a writer for the PBS Kids series Carl the Collector, which features the network’s first-ever autistic main character.
Kerry began his professional speaking career four years ago through the National Speakers Association after discovering a love for theater as a child, which helped him develop his social and communication skills. Since then, he has spoken at over 1,400 events, including two TEDx Talks and a “Talks at Google” presentation.
He is the CEO and President of KFM Making a Difference, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting inclusion. Since 2011, the organization has awarded over 150 college scholarships to autistic students and provided 27 small business grants to companies that hire individuals with disabilities. For the past decade, Kerry has also volunteered as Santa Claus for autistic and special needs children, creating sensory-friendly experiences for families.
In his spare time, Kerry runs the Facebook page Kerry’s Autism Journey, which has grown to more than 314,000 followers. Through on-camera interviews, he highlights the stories of individuals impacted by autism to help break down barriers and stigma. His videos have been viewed over 35 million times.
Kerry is the author of several best-selling books, including Defining Autism from the Heart, Autism and Falling in Love, I Will Light It Up Blue, Autistics on Autism, Supporting Your Autism Journey, and Santa Goes the Extra Mile for Children with Disabilities. His books have appeared on Amazon best-seller lists in Special Needs Parenting. His latest book was released on April 2, 2024, in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day:
Supporting Your Autism Journey: Award-Winning Autistic Adult Answers Your Burning Questions
In Supporting Your Autism Journey, Dr. Kerry Magro offers a deeply personal and insightful exploration of the autism spectrum, drawing from his own experiences as a nonspeaking child who grew into a professional speaker, author, and consultant for major media projects.
Written in response to the many questions he has received from parents, educators, first responders, and organizations, the book addresses a wide range of topics, including the ABA controversy, nonspeaking autism, employment, food aversions, special education, social skills, IEPs, and the transition to adulthood. It also provides practical resources and guidance for those supporting individuals on the spectrum.
With a mission to bridge the gap between the autistic community and a society that often misunderstands it, Kerry combines personal storytelling with professional insight. The result is a compassionate, informative guide that offers not only answers, but also hope, demonstrating that with understanding, support, and the right resources, individuals on the spectrum can lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
For his contributions to the autism community, Kerry has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, CBS News, FOX5, Upworthy, and other media outlets. He frequently speaks both in person and virtually to organizations on neurodiversity in the workplace, including JPMorgan Chase, TD Bank, and S&P Global.
Enriching The Lives Of The K-State & Manhattan Community
Illuminating and provocative lectures with free-wheeling question and answer periods stimulate discussion as well as promote original thinking and questioning of perspectives on critical public issues. Related experiences such as brown bag lunches, class and seminar presentations, and interaction with student and community organizations enhance the lecture experience. Many K-State graduates say that the perspectives they gained from the Lou Douglas Lectures have been invaluable to their lives as citizens.
The success of the Lou Douglas Lectures depends on the continued financial support of people who are committed to perpetuating the spirit and philosophy of this distinguished professor of political science. Contributors make it possible for the Lou Douglas Lectures to bring important speakers on public and community issues to the K-State campus and the Manhattan community.
If you missed the Fall 2025 Lou Douglas Lecture featuring Dr. Kaye Monk-Morgan, Leading for Impact: How to Change Your Community One Person at a Time, you can watch the full recording of her inspiring talk using the link below.
About Lou Douglas
Lou Douglas was a distinguished Professor of Political Science at Kansas State University from 1949 until 1977 and was widely known for his power to inspire students, faculty, and citizens to instigate change. With principle, humor, and wisdom, he motivated grassroots organizations and individuals to pursue fairness and civic engagement in politics, economics, and foreign policy. His concern was always for individuals and communities facing challenges or barriers, so civil rights, economic opportunity, voting rights, community organizing, fair campaign practices, and international peace were his focus.
He was respected for his scholarly analyses, but he was loved, often by those who disagreed with him, for the graciousness and camaraderie with which he reached out to friend and political foe. He represented the highest standards of public morality and elicited our best impulses as citizens to strengthen democracy.
Lou was also an influential member of UFM Community Learning Center (at that time called University for Man) Board of Directors. He served in many capacities, including Chair of the Board until he died in 1979.
As part of his commitment to grassroots projects, Lou was instrumental in securing legislation that initiated the UFM Community Resource Program, a grassroots community education and community development program funded by the State and administered by UFM and Kansas State University. From 1980 to 2014 this very successful program assisted over 100 Kansas communities in developing their own community education and activity programs utilizing local resources and talents.
For all these reasons, UFM spearheaded efforts to establish this lecture series to honor Lou Douglas.