As I already posted in one of the other topics, the reason I wanted a classroom is that I have learned so much from researching topics on the Internet and it's opened up a whole world for me. Virtually anything one wants to learn is here, and that is just
amazing to me!!!!
May I take this moment to personally thank Duke for gently nudging me to get a Computer and the Internet...THANK YOU, DUKE!!! 
Not only that, but I've met you wonderful people here as well, how fortunate and thankful am I!!!
Before I begin the Biography, I want to say how much this wonderful man has impressed me and how saddened I am that a man that taught and brought so much Love into the world is now gone...
In one of his PBS broadcasts, Leo said that his father at dinnertime would ask "
and what did you learn TODAY, Felice? That one sentence has stayed with me, but I've done nothing about it until now...with the Internet and SO much information out there to learn right at our fingertips, I can now live up to that one sentence as well...
Leo F. Buscaglia (1924 - 1998)
He was teaching in the Dept. of Special Education at the University of Southern California in the late 1960's when he heard one of his students had committed suicide. She had been one of the sets of "kind eyeballs" he always looked for in the large auditorium because at least she was hearing what he said; the news that she killed herself had a huge impact on him. "What are we doing stuffing facts into people and forgetting that they are human beings?" This incident led him to start a non-credit course called Love 1A; there were no grades. (How could you potentially fail someone in a love class? That wouldn't be very loving!) The class led to lectures and a manuscript loosely based on what was shared in those weekly classes. The author was surprised to learn that the simple title "LOVE" had not been previously claimed to which he remarked "I have the copyright on Love!" Buscaglia said he never taught the class but only facilitated it learning as much as anyone. Public Broadcasting heard one of his talks and taped a presentation during a pledge drive. The response was so great that it was presented to the national office. There was great resistance as well, because a professor simply standing at a podium lecturing was considered old-fashioned. Nevertheless, the message and delivery was so compelling, and Leo's warm presentations touched viewers' hearts in television as they did in person and he was called the "granddaddy of motivational speakers". His message delivered in a dynamic style made him a popular guest on talk shows and the lecture circuit. At one time five of his books were on the "New York Times Best Sellers List" simultaneously.
"Life is our greatest possession and love its greatest affirmation"
Leo Buscaglia was a cheerleader for life. "Life is a Banquet". He was most closely associated with the topic of love and relationships, emphasizing the value of positive human touch, especially hugs. Hugging became his trademark at lectures and thousands would stand patiently waiting to hug him. It was not uncommon for him to give a talk for an hour, then stay signing books and hugging or at least twice that long. Eventually lines formed just to receive and give hugs, but time restraints led to people at the end of the line either choosing to wait for a hug or receive an autograph, nearly all chose the physical connection with the inspiring speaker. He almost never left until he met everyone in line. Should someone be left out because they hadn't pushed to the front? Those would have been people he would have missed experiencing and would have left him a lesser person.
Born in Los Angeles, Felice Leonardo Buscaglia was the youngest of four children of Italian immigrants. He was raised Catholic but was influence by Buddhism as an adult. The physically demonstrative love of life learned from his Mediterranean parents combined with the inner reflection learned from travles and studies served him well. His "Mama stories" continue to be quoted by fans. He didn't care for the word "fan" because 'fans are fickle and will soon drop you for something else. Be a friend. You can count on friends.'
He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He did not see combat but helped reconstruct shattered faces in a dental military hospital in the aftermath of the war. Using benefits from the G.I. Bill he went to the University of Southern California receiving his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees as well as becoming a faculty member. At retirement, the university president named him Professor at Large, held previously by only one other member.
His heartfelt talks became the largest single money generators for PBS though much of the 1980's. Buscaglia, who paved the way for many motivational speakers, never considered himself one of them. He was simply a teacher whose classroom had become the world.
Over eleven million copies of his books had been purchased in the time of his death by heart attack in 1998. Approximately 24 editions throughout the world. "It's not enough to have lived. We should determine to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely. Only you will be able to discover, realize, develop and actuallize your uniqueness. And when you do, it's your duty to then 'give it away'.