Debbie Phelps to Sign Copies of New Book at FSU on Friday

Debbie Phelps, Fairmont State alumna and mother of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, will be on Fairmont State University's campus on Friday, May 15, to sign copies of her new book, "A Mother for All Seasons: A Memoir."

The event will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Fairmont State Bookstore on the second floor of the Falcon Center. Phelps will also be the speaker for FSU's Spring Commencement at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16.

Published by William Morrow/HarperCollins, the book is Debbie Phelps' inspiring personal story-one of adversity, dedication and the struggle to overcome life's challenges.

While her son Michael thrilled the world with his record-setting eight-gold-medal performance during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Debbie Phelps caught the public's attention as she and her two daughters cheered Michael on from the stands.

An educator in home economics, a visionary middle school principal, mother of three and grandmother of two, Debbie Phelps is also the eternal cheerleader. An avid believer that achievement is limitless for each and every child, no matter the odds, she reveals the universal themes of her story that is rich with struggle, humor, hope, advice and passion.   

For the first time Debbie shares her entire story, including:

• A first-hand account of Michael's performance at the 2008 Bejing Olympics.
• The swimming triumphs and tragedies of the entire Phelps family-including daughter Whitney's qualification for the Olympic Trials in 1996 and 2000, and her debilitating injury that kept her from fulfilling her Olympic dream.
• Her often tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband, Fred Phelps.
• Never before seen journal entries recording some of her family's most intimate moments.
• Fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming an educator, and eventually a middle school principal.
• Personal recipes, tips and motivational strategies for mothers of any season.

Debbie Phelps is widely recognized as an innovative, energetic and talented leader and master teacher with more than three decades of teaching and leadership experience. She currently serves as the principal of Windsor Mill Middle School in the Baltimore County Public Schools system. A highly sought after motivational speaker, she addresses a range of topics related to education, child development and life lessons. She sits on multiple business and community-advisory boards and serves as a spokeswoman for Chico's. Phelps received her master's degree in Education Management and Supervision from Loyola College in Maryland and a B.A. in Education from Fairmont State College. She currently resides in Baltimore, Md.