Earl W. Edwards Lectureship on Athletics and Society Welcomes Jolina Wade

Rising Beyond Circumstance: Faith, Resilience, and the Power of Community

A Conversation with Jolinda Wade 

Inspired by Earl W. Edwards’ enduring commitment to scholar-athlete excellence, leadership, and educational advancement, this lectureship examines the role of athletics as a catalyst for dialogue on education, wellness, leadership, and societal impact.

The UC San Diego Earl W. Edwards Lectureship on Athletics and Society is honored to welcome Jolinda Wade to UC San Diego for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation exploring perseverance, leadership, faith, and the enduring impact of community in shaping lives and futures.

Drawing from her life journey—including experiences of hardship, recovery, family, and personal transformation—Ms. Wade will reflect on the values of discipline, mentorship, belief, and opportunity that helped shape her path and the lives of those around her. Her story is further illuminated in her recent memoir, Conquering Me: A Memoir of Courage, Faith, and Transformation, which chronicles her journey through adversity, addiction, faith, and renewal, and offers a powerful extension of the themes she brings to the stage.

Her story offers a compelling perspective on resilience and purpose while inviting audiences to consider how faith, education, athletics, and community support can help individuals rise beyond circumstance and realize their potential.

Ms. Wade’s experiences also connect to broader cultural conversations surrounding leadership, family legacy, public visibility, the influence of athletics in American life, and reflections on parenting, perseverance, and personal growth. Ms. Wade is the proud mother of four children, including Olympic gold medalist and NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, who also wrote the foreword for her latest book.

Presented as part of the UC San Diego Earl W. Edwards Lectureship on Athletics and Society, the lecture advances dialogue at the intersection of athletics, education, wellness, culture, and lifelong learning.

Books will be available for purchase on-site, and Jolinda Wade will be available following the moderated dialogue for a post-event book signing and audience engagement opportunity.

Moderator

Henry DeVries, Author, Communications Strategist, and Partner, Indie Books International

Henry DeVries is a business journalist, book publisher, and bestselling author. He is the former assistant dean for external relations for the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies and past president of the UC San Diego Alumni Association. He is currently a senior staff writer with the California Business Journal and has been a columnist for Forbes and the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has also worked with organizations including the San Diego Padres, the Holiday Bowl, and the PBA Tour, and has covered major sporting events across the NFL, NBA, NASCAR, and the Indianapolis 500. 

Earl W. Edwards, UC San Diego Athletic Director Emeritus 

Earl W. Edwards served as Director of Athletics at UC San Diego from 2000 to 2025 and was appointed Athletics Director Emeritus following his retirement. During his 25-year tenure, UC San Diego Athletics achieved national recognition for both academic and competitive excellence while successfully transitioning from NCAA Division III to Division II and ultimately to Division I membership in the Big West Conference. Under his leadership, UC San Diego earned multiple national championships, captured numerous conference titles, and established one of the nation’s leading scholar-athlete programs.

Edwards was named a National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Athletics Director of the Year in 2007 and 2017 and will be inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame in June 2026 in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to collegiate athletics leadership. He has also served in leadership roles across numerous national athletics organizations and committees.

In addition to his work at UC San Diego, Edwards has held athletics administration positions at East Stroudsburg University, the University of Massachusetts, UC Davis, the University of Michigan, and Drexel University.