MARQUETTE, Mich.—Tim Harris, the only person in the United States with Down Syndrome who owns his own restaurant, will give a motivational speech at Northern Michigan University on Monday, Feb. 25. His talk is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. in the University Center Great Lakes Rooms. Admission is free for NMU students with ID and $2 for the general public.

            Born in 1986, Harris’ life has been defined by exceeding expectations and driven by Walt Disney’s famous quote, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” He was elected homecoming king and voted Student of the Year at his high school in Albuquerque, N.M. He earned college certificates in food service, office skills and restaurant hosting.

Harris worked at a variety of restaurants before opening his own in 2010. Tim’s Place in Albuquerque bills itself as the world’s friendliest restaurant, serving up breakfast, lunch and free hugs. It was featured in an issue of People magazine.

More commonly known as “Tim the Man,” Harris also has been a Special Olympics athlete and spent time living aboard a sailboat with his parents, traveling throughout the Bahamas.

            Platform Personalities and the NMU student activity fee are sponsoring Harris’ appearance.