Gervase Peterson of Survivor to speak at URI

Kingston, R.I. -- September 22, 2000 -- Gervase Peterson was one of 16 castaways stranded on Pulau Tiga Island in the South China Sea as part of the television show, Survivor.

Peterson will speak on Monday, September 25 at 7 p.m. in the University of Rhode Island's Edwards Auditorium. Admission is $5 for the public and $2 for students.

Survivor, the highest rated summer series in television history, documented the castaways' endeavors as they competed to "survive". Peterson bugged out when he ate larvae, choked down rat and acted as resident charmer. Peterson had never been hiking, swimming, camping or fishing before he went on Survivor. He was the tenth castaway voted off the island.

Peterson hails from Philadelphia and currently lives in Willingboro, New Jersey. He is a youth basketball coach at the YMCA. His previous occupations include working as an auditor, a field representative for Nielson Media Research and a test technician for IBM. He attended Lincoln Technical Institute for two years.

His passions include basketball, football, and his four children. He is scheduled to appear on The Hughleys this fall.

Peterson is brought to the University by the Student Entertainment Committee.

For Release: Michael Nolfe, 401-874-5298, Jhodi Redlich, 401-874-2116