Speaker series' new season examines nature, heroism

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - August 31, 2009

ARDMORE, Okla. – The bold exploration of nature, the impact of technology on business and striking heroism take center stage in the 2009-2010 season of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's popular speaker series Profiles and Perspectives.

The season begins with a pulse-raising presentation about one of nature's most powerful forces - tornadoes. As the season unfolds, Profiles and Perspectives audiences will journey to the depths of the world's oceans to learn about some of nature's most fascinating and unique creatures, as well as discover how social media can benefit business and hear how teamwork and heroism saved a soldier stranded behind enemy lines.

"For twelve years, Profiles and Perspectives has provided informative, thought-provoking and entertaining speakers to residents of southern Oklahoma," said Mary Kate Wilson, Noble Foundation granting program officer and chair of the Profiles and Perspectives Committee. "This year, we've assembled another diverse and exciting group of speakers that I'm confident audiences will enjoy."

The season will kick off at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Ardmore Convention Center with storm chaser and meteorologist Reed Timmer of Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers. Timmer will present "Extreme Tornado Research and Photography: The Real-Life Version of the movie Twister." During his visually stimulating presentation, Timmer weaves personal stories, tornado intercept videos and scientific research as he discusses (and shows) why he drives into the heart of tornadoes.

Timmer and his team designed and constructed a bullet-proof storm research vehicle (SRV) that allows them to capture wind data from inside tornadoes. Audience members will get a firsthand look at the SRV, which will be on display during the event.

Profiles and Perspectives will continue at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Ardmore Convention Center with Bill Handy, who will present "The Keys to Effective Social Media Engagement."

Research shows the integration of social media strategies can have a dramatic impact on any organizational initiative as well as its bottom line when implemented appropriately. Most social media, including Web outlets like Facebook, Twitter and Myspace, are unfamiliar extensions of traditional marketing, public relations and communication models. However, social media's ease of integration is driving explosive growth in the business world. Many organizations underestimate the necessary steps that should be taken before engaging social media. Handy will detail the basics that are key to effectively using social media.

After the holiday break, Profiles and Perspectives picks up again with its spring offerings, which include the story of Air Force fighter pilot Cpt. Scott O'Grady, who was shot down over Bosnia while helping enforce the NATO no-fly zone, and Dave Gallo, who will introduce audiences to life in the deepest oceans.

O'Grady will present "Return with Honor" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Charles B. Goddard Center. After being shot down, O'Grady faced death, capture and harsh environmental conditions as he survived for six days behind enemy lines. Despite his grueling circumstances, O'Grady remained part of a highly skilled and dedicated team that had prepared for this exact situation.

In this program, O'Grady will detail the preparation, teamwork and leadership responsible for his survival and his dramatic rescue by the Marines, and he will discuss how these qualities are crucial to success in business and life.

Dave Gallo's amazing trip to the depths of the ocean will close the 2009-2010 season. Gallo, a researcher with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, will present "Neptune's Garden: Exploring the Secrets of the Deep Undersea" at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, at the Ardmore Convention Center.

Humans have only explored a small percentage of the world beneath the waves, but what has been viewed has yielded a treasure trove of amazing features and life - the world's highest mountains, deepest valley and thriving communities of life all exist in a world without sunlight. Gallo will use high resolution video to share some of the most recent discoveries and introduce the audience to a new era of undersea exploration.

"This season of Profiles and Perspectives promises to be one of the most exciting and captivating yet," Wilson said. "Not only will audiences be entertained by the one-of-a-kind programs, but the information shared by our presenters can be applied to business and life."

The 2009-2010 Profiles and Perspectives series is offered at no cost, courtesy of the Noble Foundation. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Noble Foundation at 580.224.6246 or visiting www.noble.org/profiles. The Ardmore Convention Center is located at 2401 N. Rockford Road, Ardmore, Okla. The Charles B. Goddard Center is located at 401 1st Street, S.W., Ardmore, Okla.

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For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.