A Conversation with Laurie Hernandez
Since bringing home the Gold and Silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Laurie Hernandez has gone on to win the coveted Mirror Ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 23 and her first book titled “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond” chronicling her journey thus far was published in 2017, hitting the New York Times Best Sellers list. In 2018, she released a children’s picture book “She’s Got This,” also a New York Times Best Seller, while serving as a Literary Champion to promote readership as a path to leadership, and Mattel created Laurie Hernandez “Shero” Barbie to honor her.
She is a second-generation American, as her grandparents are from Puerto Rico, making her the first U.S.-born Latina to make the U.S. team since 1984. Laurie was also the gymnastics analyst for NBC at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Her live commentary at the Paris games garnered her rapturous praise from the entertainment
community and viewers.
Acting is one of her biggest passions, and she has done cameos, voiceovers, and even co-hosted American Ninja Warrior Junior. Laurie is a Junior at NYU, where she is a theatre major. She travels the country speaking to the next generation about following your dreams and embracing who you are. She is also a fierce advocate for the importance of Mental Health and has partnered with multiple campaigns and initiatives to encourage awareness.
The Blauvelt Speaker Series is funded in part by the generosity of the late Bradford Thomas & Eleanor G. Blauvelt and the Wintrode Family Foundation.
Performance Dates
Event Essentials
Ticketing Policy
All sales are final. Policies, programs, artists, dates, times, and prices are subject to change without notice. Members may be eligible for exchanges and refunds based on their membership level. A complete listing of ticketing policies can be found at grunincenter.org/ticketing-events/ticketing-policies
Accessible Seating & Services
Accessible seating is available through all ticket sales channels on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible seating locations include a space suitable for a patron-provided wheelchair. Patrons requesting accessible seating acknowledge that they, or a member of their party, require accessible seating due to a mobility disability (visible or non-visible) as defined by the ADA, or require the features of an accessible seating location.
Requests for interpretive services or braille programs must be made at least three weeks prior to the event; more advance notice is appreciated. Assistive listening devices are available for the Main Stage by visiting the Box Office prior to each performance. Please call (voice) 732-255-0500 or email (text) grunincenter@ocean.edu with accessibility requests beyond wheelchair accessible seating.
Venue Information – Mezzanine Access
All seats in row AA – DD of the Mezzanine require stairs to access. Row EE does not require stairs. There are 2 central stairs in the Mezzanine, and no aisles against the walls.
Blauvelt Speaker Series
The Blauvelt Speaker Series is funded in part by the generosity of the late Bradford Thomas & Eleanor G. Blauvelt and the Wintrode Family Foundation.
Additional sponsors for 2025-2026 include The Law Firm of Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle, Gutman & Petro, LLC, Arlene and Frank Dupignac, Jr., Leone & Daughters Realty Management Corp., Kean Ocean, Stella and Marshall Kern, The Matus Law Group, New Jersey Natural Gas, Novins, York, Jacobus & Dooley, P.A., Ocean County Vocational Technical School, and Rotem Dental Care.
Livestream Access
If livestream viewing is interrupted due to technical difficulties, a recording of the event will be emailed to Livestream registrants within two business days following the event, and will be viewable for 48 hours once received.
