Honors Program Distinguished Speakers Series, 2009-10

All events are scheduled for 7:00 pm in the Gale Lemerand Auditorium inside Willie Miller Instructional Center, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 South Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114.

For further information contact Honors Program Director Dr. Geoffrey Kain, 226-6650
For directions please view the map.

Featuring Jerome Ringo, “The Green Economy: America’s New Frontier”

Monday, October 12, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.

Ringo, an advocate for environmental justice and clean energy, is the immediate past chairman of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), and an associate research scholar and McCluskey Fellow for Conservation at Yale University.

Jerome Ringo

In assuming the reins of the NWF in 2005, he became the first African American in history to chair a major conservation advocacy organization. Ringo is also president of the Apollo Alliance, a coalition of organized labor, environmentalist, business and civil rights leaders dedicated to freeing the United States of dependence on foreign oil. Ringo worked in the petrochemical industry for 22 years, mostly as a union leader, and he saw the impact of the pollutants on the health of friends, family, and community members, …and he evolved into a nationally prominent environmental activist.

This event is co-sponsored by the Honors Program and the College of Business.

Featuring Dr. Bruce Jakosky, “Science, Society, and the Search for Life Elsewhere"

Monday, November 16, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.

Dr. Bruce Jakosky

Dr. Bruce Jakosky is professor and associate director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, will speak on “Science, Society, and the Search for Life Elsewhere,” addressing the central question about the possibility of life in outer space: Why Should We Care? Jakosky is a member of the editorial board of the journal Astrobiology, is a frequent advisor to major national museums on exhibits regarding extraterrestrial life, has an extensive history as an advisor to NASA on Mars exploration and astrobiology, and has published more than 100 professional papers.

Featuring Carbon Sciences President/CEO Byron Elton: “Carbon as an Answer, not Just an Enemy”

Monday, January 25, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.

Byron Elton

Carbon Sciences president/CEO Byron Elton will offer an overview of the exciting, cutting edge technology developed through his California-based company in his lecture “Carbon as an Answer, not Just an Enemy.” Carbon Sciences has developed an affordable technology to capture CO2 emissions and convert them back to usable, clean energy!

In a front page USA Today story in late February 2009, Carbon Sciences is highlighted as the “furthest along in the CO2 to fuels Quest.”

Honors Program Distinguished Speakers Series, 2010

Featuring, Homer Hickam:“Dare to Dream” in “An Evening with Homer Hickam.”

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 7:00 P.M.

Homer Hickam

Best-selling author/screenwriter and former NASA engineer Homer Hickam will encourage his listeners to “Dare to Dream” in “An Evening with Homer Hickam.” Hickam is the focal point of the semi-autobiographical smash-hit film “October Sky,” based on his best-selling novel Rocket Boys, which is part of the the Coalwood series of novels, all best-sellers. Hickam will review his upbringing in a small coal-mining town in West Virginia, where his imagination was sparked by the launch of Sputnik and how he then defied all odds to realize his dream of becoming a rocket scientist at NASA, rather than remain with the expected and nearly inescapable future of becoming a miner. Hickam has not only worked with the space program at NASA and become a prominent author and screen writer, he is also a diver and explorer.

This presentation will also serve as the keynote address for Engineers Week.

For further information contact Honors Program Director Dr. Geoffrey Kain, 226-6650
For directions please view the map.