ARDMORE - Donna Shirley, director of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, will be in Ardmore Thursday, Sept. 10, as the first speaker in the Noble Foundation's new bimonthly "Profiles and Perspectives" program.

Ms. Shirley, originally from Wynnewood, has more than 30 years experience in aerospace and civil systems, including 24 years in management. She currently heads the Mars Exploration Program Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

In announcing the "Profiles and Perspectives" program, Michael A. Cawley, Noble Foundation president, said the operations and activities of the Foundation bring it into contact with people from varied and diverse backgrounds and vocations. Cawley said he wants the Southern Oklahoma community to be able to enjoy interesting and stimulating discussions and lectures otherwise not available to area citizens - a program consistent with the Noble Foundation's strong interest in the quality of life of the people of Ardmore and Southern Oklahoma.

Ms. Shirley will be the keynote speaker at the United Way of South Central Oklahoma's 1999 kickoff rally at the Goddard Center Sept. 10. Her visit will include a book signing of her autobiography, "Managing Martians," as well as a meeting with local science students, a public reception, and an informal reception with area science teachers during the day.

That evening at 7 p.m. Ms. Shirley will give a photo/video presentation on the Mars Exploration Program in the Ardmore High School Cafeteria. The public is invited to the evening event.

The Mars program Ms. Shirley directs started in 1994 with the purpose of sending orbiters and landers (or rovers) to Mars at intervals of every 26 months through at least 2005.

Before managing the Mars program, Ms. Shirley directed the team that built Sojourner, the micro-rover landed by the Mars Pathfinder project on the Mars surface on July 4, 1997. Sojourner investigated the planet's surface for nearly three months - more than 10 times its expected lifetime.

Joe Lobell, Noble Foundation Communications Department manager, said bringing Ms. Shirley to Ardmore is a great way to begin the Profiles and Perspectives series.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to begin this series of programs by featuring such an accomplished individual," Lobell said. "Ms. Shirley is a native of Wynnewood and a graduate of The University of Oklahoma who has risen to national prominence in the scientific community."

In 1999, the Profiles and Perspectives series will feature six programs on a variety of topics.

"We anticipate this will be a continuing effort through 1999 and beyond," Lobell said. "This will give Southern Oklahomans an opportunity to hear from outstanding achievers who would normally appear only at major universities and in large cities."

Ms. Shirley's Schedule (Photo/Video Opportunities)
10:00-11:00 a.m. - United Way Kickoff at Goddard Center, Ardmore

11:00-11:45 a.m. - Book signing at Goddard Center
(Lorene Yordi, owner, The Book Seller)

1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. - Presentation/discussion/Q&A with science students at Noble Foundation Pavilion, 2500 block Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore

7:00 p.m.-8:15 p.m. - Free public program at Ardmore High School cafeteria

8:15 p.m.-9:00 p.m. - Book sale/signing, reception, AHS cafeteria
(Lorene Yordi, The Book Seller)


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(FYI - The Noble Foundation is a privately funded, nonprofit organization headquartered in Ardmore, Okla. The Foundation conducts agricultural and plant biology research; provides grants to numerous other charitable and educational organizations; and assists farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative programs.)