The inspiration behind the memoir and film, “Catch Me If You Can”, comes straight from the life of Frank Abagnale, who spoke at HCC for the most recent Dillon Lecture Series. Who can catch Frank Abagnale? On January 31, Hutchinson Community College welcomed Abagnale to campus to speak about his life and experiences. The lecture taught the listeners more than just the importance of keeping information private but that people can change their ways. “What I learned at the lecture is that even though we as humans aren’t perfect and tend to do things that are wrong, everyone still deserves a second chance. Rachell Williams, MO, said. “Whatever a person has done in the past, does not define who they are today or tomorrow, as long as they are making an effort in becoming a better person and contributing to this society in a positive way.”
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Hannah Arthur
Frank Abagnale tells the story of his life at the Dillon Lecture Series on January 31. Abagnale worked for the FBI for 35 years.
While he restored some student’s faith in humanity, Abagnale also inspired students to keep a better eye on their own finances. “I learned that it could be really easy for someone to commit a fraud and that I should also be more aware of how I keep track and take care of what I have financially,” Amber Zvolanek, Russell, said. Mashala Dixon, Wichita, takes precautions in order to keep her identity safe. “I don’t keep important information such as my social security card in my possession, I let my mom keep it with her files along with my sister and I’s birth certificates,” Dixon said. Coordinator of the criminal justice program, Charles Fann, also takes certain measures to protect himself. “Personally, I shred documents and try to limit exposure. My wife even had me purchase an aluminum wallet so individuals could not “scan” my credit cards by merely holding a device near my wallet,” Fann said. During the lecture, listeners learned of Abagnale’s many escapades with forgery and identity theft.WhileAbagnale forged signatures for personal gain, some forge signatures for different reasons. “As a caretaker for my grandparents, I technically forge my grandfather’s signature and in some cases I don’t even sign his name, I will sign a different person’s name to see if the shop keep even notices,” Evan Rothwell, Hutchinson, said.
Dragon’s Tale
2/27/12 2:26 PM