Norwich University kicks off spring Todd Lecture Series

For Immediate Release
January 27, 2010
Contact: Daphne Larkin
802-485-2886
dlarkin@norwich.edu

NEWS RELEASE

Norwich University kicks off spring Todd Lecture Series

NORTHFIELD, Vt. (Jan. 27, 2010) – Norwich University presents a series of free events during the spring 2010 Todd Lecture Series, beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and going through April 10.

Author Bill McKibben will kick off the series on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. in Dole Auditorium with his talk, “Large and Small: Human Scale and Human Power in a Fast-Changing World,” presented by the Business & Humanities Schools.

McKibben is an environmental activist and writer and a resident of Ripton, Vt. He is an advocate of fighting global warming, the founder of the website www.350.org and a legendary organizer of demonstrations.

McKibben is a prolific author of 13 books on topics that include climate change, population growth, long distance athletics, solo hiking, genetic engineering and growth economy. He is the founder of www.stepitup07.org, which was involved in organizing the largest demonstration for climate change in the nation’s history.

McKibben is a contributor to several magazines and has been the recipient of Guggenheim and Lyndhurst Fellowships, the Lannon Prize for writing and has several honorary degrees.

On the following day, Thursday, Feb. 11, Major General Robert F. Behler (USAF Ret), of the MITRE Corporation, will speak at 7 p.m. in Cabot 085. His lecture, “Sustaining the Technological Edge in Supersonic Flight” is presented by the Engineering School.

Behler is the Senior Vice President and Deputy General Manager at the MITRE Corporation’s Command and Control Center that focuses on creating a joint command, control and communications. The MITRE’s Department of Defense is a federally funded research and development center.

Behler served in the Air Force for 31 years and retired in 2003 as a major general. He has extensive experience in command, control, communications and technology and served in worldwide assignments. He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours in 65 types of aircraft.

Behler has undergraduate and graduate degrees in aerospace science as well as a master’s of business degree. He is the winner of numerous service medals as well as the 15th Air Force Reconnaissance Crew of the Year award and the first General Jerome F. O’Malley Award for Best Reconnaissance Crew in the Air Force.

More Todd Lecture Series spring events:

Panel discussion on SMART Power with COL Christopher Holshek, COL (Ret) Thomas Baltazar, Ms. Caryn Hollis, and Dr. Reuben Brigety II
Feb. 18, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. in Dole Auditorium
Presented by the School of Social Sciences

Lawrence Krauss, internationally known theoretical physicist
Feb. 25, 7 p.m. in Plumley Armory
Presented by the School of Math/Science

Jeanne Gang, principal of Chicago-based architecture and design firm Studio Gang Architects
March 29, 7 p.m. in Dole Auditorium
Presented by the School of Art and Architecture

Lt. Gen David Deptula, deputy chief of staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force
April 6, 7 p.m. in Plumley Armory
Presented by the School of National Services

The Todd Lecture Series is named in honor of US Army retired Major General and President Emeritus W. Russell Todd, ‘50, and his wife, Carol, in gratitude for their dedicated service to Norwich University and the Northfield Community. With this series, Norwich reaches out to bring important, significant lecturers to the University. The programs will always be free and open to the greater Vermont community as well as the Norwich student body.

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Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army. Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the United States of America and the birthplace of our nation's Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu