MISENHEIMER ó Events Plus, an annual subscriber series presented by Pfeiffer University that provides cultural and community cultural opportunities for new and returning members, announces its 2011-2012 season.
All Events Plus activities will be held on Pfeifferís Misenheimer campus at 48380 U.S. 52 N.
The new season opens this Sunday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m., with Dr. Frank Martin í66, a Pfeiffer alumnus and former NASA director. Martin, who lives in Morrisville, will present ěThe Hubble Space Telescope: Why it Was Easier to Service than Build,î a discussion of his tenure at Lockheed Martin where he oversaw the repair of the Hubble Space Telescope after it was launched with a defective optics system. The event will be in the Stokes Student Center, Community Room.
He is the recipient of NASAís Outstanding Leadership Medal, Exceptional Service Medal, The Presidential Ranks of Distinguished Executive and Meritorious Executive. He served on the National Research Councilís Committee on NASAís Suborbital Research Capabilities and is a member of the National Research Councilís Committee on Human Spaceflight Operations. In 1999, he was elected Fellow of the American Astronomical Society.
Events Plus is organized by a local steering committee whose members include Pat Bramlett, Vicki Coggins, Betty Crook, Charlotte Maness, Larry Phillips, Sandy Rogers, Mary Summers and Larry Sitton. The annual membership fee for Events Plus is $100 per person or $200 per couple. To learn more and join, visit www.pfeiffer.edu/ eventsplus; call 704-463-3034; or email EventsPlus@pfeiffer.edu.
The 2011-2012 Events Plus calendar includes:
Sunday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m., War of the Worlds: A Radio Broadcast, presented by Uwharrie Players; Stokes Student Center/Community Room. The Uwharrie Players, Pfeifferís resident theater ensemble, recreates Orson Wellesí historic Halloween War of the Worlds broadcast from 1938 that provoked mass hysteria.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m., How Firm a Foundation, presented by Michael Lowder ë76, director of Intelligence, Security and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Transportation; Stokes Student Center/Community Room.
Lowder shares his insight into U.S. emergency preparedness based on his experience as emergency coordinator for the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he provides leadership for all departmental civil transportation and intelligence issues; security policy; and emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities related to emergencies that affect the transportation sector.
This work is informed by Lowderís experience with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington, D.C., as well as more than 25 years in law enforcement and emergency services in North Carolina with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and as director of emergency services in Bladen County.
Sunday, April 10, 6 p.m., Pfeifferís Finest: A Performing Arts Showcase, presented by Pfeiffer University Department of Music; Stokes Student Center/Community Room. Under the direction of Professor Joseph Judge, Dr. David Palmer and Professor Steve Harrill, Pfeifferís most talented student vocalists and instrumentalists showcase their musical achievements through the pieces they master during the academic year. Subscribers will be able to engage with performers to discuss the selected classics as they are performed.