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USC Marshall Alumnus Sourena Vasseghi to be Honored with Looking Beyond's Soaring Spirit Award 2010

Newswise - Sourena Vasseghi, a USC Marshall alumnus, award-winning author, businessman and motivational speaker with severe Cerebral Palsy will receive Looking Beyond's The Soaring Spirit Award at The Beverly Hills Hotel on March 16, 2010. The annual fundraiser and luncheon - "A Day of Inspiration With Sourena Vasseghi" - will be from noon-2 p.m., preceded by a silent auction at 10 a.m.

The Soaring Spirit Award is annually presented by Looking Beyond - a non-profit organization dedicated to the awareness and enrichment of the lives of children with special needs - to individuals who have broken through personal barriers, thus opening doors for others, and serving as an inspiration to all.

"I am honored to be a source of inspiration for people with disabilities," said Vasseghi. "I hope my work can pave a new path for others that come after me."

Upon graduating from USC in May 2001, Vasseghi opened his own marketing firm. Inspired by countless requests to share his insight on living with adversity, he wrote the top-selling book Love Your Life and It Will Love You Back, garnering the Indie Excellence Award for Best Business Book of 2008. Despite a prevalent speech impediment, Vasseghi began speaking to audiences nationwide with the guide of his translator and partner, Rich Finley, propelling himself into a career of sharing a message of limitless possibilities in any personal or professional situation with their humor, passion and trademarked wit.

James G. Ellis, Dean of USC Marshall Business School, noted about his former student, "He is a total inspiration to everyone with whom he comes in contact as he has the ability to connect the dots of life. We are so proud that he is part of our Marshall family."

Vasseghi has been featured on NBC, ESPN, has made numerous television and radio appearances, and has been triumphed in the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Business Journal. He was recently given Westlake Today Magazine's inaugural Man of the Year Award for his spirit and ongoing efforts to bettering the lives of others through his passion and uplifting humor. He also is the spokesman for the Convalescent Aid Society of Pasadena, Calif. and a contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Looking Beyond is dedicated to promoting awareness and creating advancement and enrichment for children with disabilities by supporting different programs and services. They wish to impact the lives of as many children as possible, hoping to make a change in the community at large. In addition to fundraising, Looking Beyond's goals also include promoting awareness, creating opportunities, inspiring others, and looking beyond preconceived barriers and limitations for people with special needs and ourselves. For more information about Looking Beyond, visit http://lookingbeyondla.com.

Source: NewsWise