In July 2009, Dr. Chuck Sandstrom was the victim of a random, violent assault that left the former Findlay, Ohio, pastor with a severe, traumatic brain injury. But he and his wife, Auburn, chose to deal with their pain by reaching out to the attacker and his young family.

Now traveling to speak about their experience, the Akron couple will be at Bluffton University on Tuesday, Nov. 20, to discuss “Forgiveness as a Way of Life” at 11 a.m. in Yoder Recital Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Chuck Sandstrom, who earned his doctorate in policy and administration studies at the University of Pittsburgh, had been an executive fundraiser and consultant, as well as a church leader, for more than 30 years prior to his injury. He is now building a speaking business, Chuck Sandstrom Enterprises Inc., with Auburn, who holds a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan and teaches writing at the University of Akron.