"Dating Doctor" to provide relationship advice at lecture
Michelle D. Amaral, News Editor
Published On: 08/25/2008
For many college students, navigating their way through the dating scene may very well be one of the most difficult challenges they encounter. Although friends and family may be thrilled to offer help and advice along the way, neither their guidance nor their own example may be the most definitive, further complicating matters.
“[College students] are at a critical decision-making time in their lives and very few had excellent role models, in terms of healthy relationships, when they were growing up,” says David Coleman, perhaps more aptly known as the “Dating Doctor.”
Coleman, also deemed “America’s Real Life Hitch” in reference to Will Smith’s character as a dating coach in the 2005 movie “Hitch,” will be in town Tuesday, Aug. 26 to offer his expert dating advice. The event, presented by the UAB Lecture Series, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Alumni Auditorium of the Hill University Center (HUC).
According to Coleman, dating in today’s world has become more complex due to the advent of modern communication devices such as e-mail.
“Cell phones, texting, IM and e-mail have made face-to-face interactions more rare, and people’s [interpersonal communication] skills are eroding,” he says.
During the lecture, Coleman intends to address how to strengthen these communication skills. Additionally, he will cover other pertinent dating issues, including how to move forward once two people have shown interest in each other and also how to assess whether or not a particular relationship is healthy, a topic that can have serious implications on a person’s health and overall well-being.
“If you are in an unhealthy relationship, this impacts all aspects of your life,” says Brittany Latham, a UAB student in the School of Nursing. “It is hard to concentrate on classes, and it can make you irritable with other people in your life. The information that is presented will guide students to evaluate their present relationships as well as help in choosing future ones.”
Latham is one of several UAB students who attended Coleman’s lecture at the 2008 Southeastern Panhellenic Conference in Atlanta last spring.
“A group of UAB students saw Mr. Coleman speak at a conference this spring and had a great time with his presentation,” said Jason Meier, Assistant Director for Student Involvement at UAB. “The UAB Lecture Series really wanted a fun lecture to kick off our 2008-09 schedule and couldn’t help but go with the glowing recommendations from our own students. Dave really will present a great topic that will help a lot of students find healthy ways to date while in college.”
Latham admits that her favorite part of Coleman’s lecture was the question and answer session at the end of the night.
“Most of the questions that the other women had, I really felt like I could relate to,” she said. “David gave honest and upfront answers even if he knew it was not what the women wanted to hear. Sometimes a girl just needs someone to be real with her and that is just what David is.”
Carson Tallent is another UAB student who attended Coleman’s lecture in Atlanta last spring.
“Not only is Mr. Coleman entertaining, but his relationship advice applies to any relationship, romantic or otherwise,” he says. “Whether engaged, dating, or simply wanting to make new friends, he gives great tips and tells great stories on how to do this the right way. I heard him speak twice and will definitely be attending for a third time.”
For those still searching for that special someone, Coleman offers some advice on how to find them.
“On a college campus you must GET INVOLVED on the campus and in the local community. Be it a club, organization, staff or planning organization; when you work with others, you meet them, their friends, etc. and it leads to relationships and a spike in self-confidence.”
The next event presented by the UAB Lecture Series will be “Is Religion a Force for Good or Evil” on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. in the HUC Alumni Auditorium.
Email: amaralm@uab.edu
