As a motivational speaker and former host of the syndicated "Galloping Gourmet" television show, Kerr focuses on helping people make healthy and creative lifestyle changes. His life goal is to help convert harmful habits into resources that heal.

Kerr will discuss "Food as Medicine" April 29 as part of the university's 2009 John P. McGovern Lecture Series. The presentation, free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. in the Ball State Alumni Center Assembly Hall.

He also will attend a cooking demonstration April 30 in Allegre Restaurant with students from a class taught by Deanna Pucciarelli, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences.

The lecture series is funded by a grant from John P. McGovern, an internationally renowned pediatric allergist and founder of the McGovern Allergy Clinic of Houston. Kerr's visit to Ball State is sponsored by the Department of Physiology and Health Science.