Judge Greg Mathis, a former Detroit street gang member who reformed his life and is now a widely known television courtroom judge, will address Wayne State University students Wednesday, April 3, on the topic "Overcoming Life's Challenges While Building Your Community." He will speak at noon in the ballroom of the Student Center Building. A question and-answer session will follow his remarks. The public is invited and admission is free.

A high school dropout, who found himself on the wrong side of the law as a youth, Mathis began to turn his life around when a sympathetic judge ordered him to obtain a G.E.D. or face jail time. Following the judge's directive, and the plea of his dying mother to reform, Mathis obtained a high school equivalency certificate then went on to successfully complete college and law school.

He became active in civil rights organizations, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson's Operation P.U.S.H. and the Rainbow Coalition. From 1989-93, he served as manager of Detroit's neighborhood city halls under Mayor Coleman A. Young.

In 1995, he was elected a Superior Court judge in Michigan's 36th district, where he was known as a compassionate judge with a no-nonsense courtroom style. His election became a national success story and a symbol of hope for disadvantaged urban youth.

Mathis retains a tough but compassionate style on his courtroom television show, which is distributed nationally by Warner Bros. Television. He uses his "street smarts" to get at the facts in cases brought before him and often uses humor to make a point. His Wayne State visit was arranged by the university's Pre-Law Students Association and the Dean of Students Office.

Note to editors: Judge Mathis will be available for a few minutes at approximately 2 p.m. (following the program) for individual interviews.