Franks is a native of Wynnewood, Okla., whose long and distinguished military career has taken him from one world hot spot to another. Along the way, he earned five Distinguished Service Medals, four Legions of Merit, four Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts. He was also given the nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Since his retirement in 2003, he has been traveling the world speaking on leadership, character and the value of democracy.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the community is invited to help celebrate the Noble Foundation's 60th anniversary. The activities will begin at 5 p.m. on the Foundation's Ardmore campus with facility walking tours starting every 15 minutes. A reception will be held prior to the evening program, which begins at 7 p.m. During the program, Noble Foundation President Michael A. Cawley will present a history and overview of the Foundation, followed by brief descriptions of current projects by Agricultural Division Director Wadell Altom, Plant Biology Division Director Dr. Richard Dixon and Forage Improvement Division Director Dr. Joe Bouton.

Rita Murray, CEO of Performance Consulting, LLC, of Norman, Okla., will present a program called "Survive and Thrive in a Multi-Generational Workplace"on Thursday, March 2, 2006, at 7 p.m. at the Charles B. Goddard Center in Ardmore. Murray has over 25 years' experience in organizational development, information technology, presentation skills, executive coaching and business communications.

The season comes to a close on Thursday, May 4, 2006, with Matthew Simmons, chairman and CEO of Simmons & Company International, a specialized energy investment-banking firm. Simmons' program, entitled "Twilight in the Desert: A Discussion of "Peak Oil"," addresses how to prepare for a post-peak oil production world. Simmons’ program also will be held at the Goddard Center at 7 p.m.

"This season includes a diverse group of high-caliber individuals. We also look forward to the opportunity to provide area residents with an inside look into the cutting-edge scientific research and agricultural consulting being conducted on our campus," said Mary Kate Heltzel, Noble Foundation granting program officer and chair of the Profiles and Perspectives Committee.

All Profiles and Perspectives programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Noble Foundation at (580) 223-5810 or visit www.noble.org/profiles.

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Photos:
	Gen. Tommy Franks	Rita Murray	Matthew Simmons	60th Anniversary

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