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East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s department of sociology, social work & criminal justice, in the college of arts and sciences, is hosting its fourth annual Peter Roche de Coppens Sociology and Spirituality Lecture on Thursday, April 20 at 6 p.m. in Abeloff Center for the Performing Arts. This year’s presentation by Mansoor Shams is titled “Ask me Anything! An American Muslim Marine’s Spiritual Journey.”

Mansoor Shams is a U.S. Marine Veteran, business owner, and Muslim youth leader. He served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of corporal (non-commissioned officer) and received several honors including a meritorious promotion, Marine of the Quarter and Certificate of Commendation.

He has been featured by the BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, and Baltimore Sun, and has made national TV appearances as a commentator on CNN and MSNBC. Shams holds a master’s degree in government, with an emphasis on national security studies, and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

This is the fourth annual sociology and spiritually lecture, sponsored by the Peter Roche de Coppens Spirituality Fund. The lecture series was established in honor of the late Dr. Roche de Coppens, ESU professor of sociology. It is designed to help students’ awareness and understanding of the sociological significance of spirituality in one’s life.

For more information, contact Hooshang Pazaki, Ph.D., professor of sociology, social work and criminal justice, in the college of arts and sciences, at 570-422-3281 or shpazaki@esu.edu.