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Giant Leaps — Reflections on 30 Years in Human Spaceflight

Last July the Space Shuttle Atlantis landed on the 135th and final mission of the Space Shuttle Program.  As a member of the first astronaut class selected specifically for the Shuttle, it was my privilege to be part of the maturation of the program from the first test flight in 1981 to the final on-orbit assembly of the International Space Station.  I flew five of the 135 missions, three of which involved NASA’s Great Observatories.  In this presentation I will share some of my experiences as well as my evaluation of the engineering, scientific, and cultural legacy of the Shuttle Program.

A native of Salina, Kansas Dr. Hawley received bachelor of arts degrees in physics and astronomy, graduating with highest distinction, from the University of Kansas in 1973, and a doctor of philosophy in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1977.  Prior to his selection to NASA Dr. Hawley was a research associate at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in La Serena, Chile.

Dr. Hawley retired from NASA and returned to the University of Kansas in 2008 where he is a professor of physics and astronomy and Director of the Engineering Physics program.  Dr. Hawley’s research interests include spectrophotometry of nebulae and active or star-forming galaxies as well as the problems of human spaceflight.  Dr. Hawley is a member of the American Astronomical Society, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Association of Space Explorers, Sigma Pi Sigma, and Phi Beta Kappa.

SME Topeka President, Marsha Oliver

Dear “Fellow” SME Members,
Standing at the podium to welcome our guests at The Summit was exciting – and a proud moment for me. I thought the speakers were exceptional and have received so many compliments from attendees who said they thoroughly enjoyed the morning and had some valuable “take-aways”.

I am hopeful our sponsors and attendees will complete the surveys Kathy sent out. We asked not only for their opinions about this year’s Summit, but also for topics and speakers they would like to see next year. Making and keeping The Summit relevant to all our audiences is critical to raising awareness of SME Topeka – and the funds we need to support our programs!

My sincere thanks to Rise Quinn – who truly stepped up – and to committee chairs Connie Michaelis, Vince Frye, Wayne Basso, Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield, Jeanette Johnson and Karon Lee and their committees. Over 40 SME members had a part in our event and their enthusiasm for our club and our event was inspirational.

And of course I extend a huge “THANK YOU” to Kathy Crome. If you haven’t had the pleasure of working with Kathy on a major event (or any size project), you don’t know how marvelous she is! She quietly “handles” things – making the rest of us look good.

I have to miss our May meeting and so David Sollars will preside. I really hate to miss hearing Dr. Steve Hawley’s story about his NASA experience, but trust you will find it thrilling!

Sincerely,

Marsha

Marsha Oliver, CPA
Mize Houser & Company P.A.

5715 SW 21st Street

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Description:

Managing Generations presented by Larry Beam
Friday, May 11th, 8:00 to 9:00 am
Lawyers Title of Topeka

Every organization in the United States is experiencing a new set of workplace dynamics based upon the phenomenon of four generations working together – either in its own workforce or in the workforce of its clients, customers and supplier base.  Today’s managers must learn how to recognize, respond to and resolve differences involving generational issues that impact productivity, teamwork and customer satisfaction.

Larry recently retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas where he was Senior Trainer/Consultant.  He is a retired public school teacher/coach/administrator and a retired officer of the United States Army.  Larry holds advanced degrees from Washburn University and the University of Kansas.

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“Last July the Space Shuttle Atlantis landed on the 135th and final mission of the Space Shuttle Program.  As a member of the first astronaut class selected specifically for the Shuttle, it was my privilege to be part of the maturation of the program from the first test flight in 1981 to the final on-orbit assembly of the International Space Station.  I flew five of the 135 missions, three of which involved NASA’s Great Observatories.  In this presentation I will share some of my experiences as well as my evaluation of the engineering, scientific, and cultural legacy of the Shuttle Program,” said Dr Hawley.

A native of Salina, Kansas Dr. Hawley received bachelor of arts degrees in physics and astronomy, graduating with highest distinction, from the University of Kansas in 1973, and a doctor of philosophy in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1977.  Prior to his selection to NASA Dr. Hawley was a research associate at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in La Serena, Chile.

Dr. Hawley retired from NASA and returned to the University of Kansas in 2008 where he is a professor of physics and astronomy and Director of the Engineering Physics program.  Dr. Hawley’s research interests include spectrophotometry of nebulae and active or star-forming galaxies as well as the problems of human spaceflight.  Dr. Hawley is a member of the American Astronomical Society, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Association of Space Explorers, Sigma Pi Sigma, and Phi Beta Kappa.

1717 SW Topeka Blvd

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Description:

Wednesday, April 25th
Sunflower Ballroom, Maner Conference
Check in and Networking: 8:00 am, The Summit: 8:30 to 11:30 am

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Michelle is the Shareholder/V.P. of Business Development at jones huyett Partners. Her primary responsibilities include: Account Services, New Business Development, Website Design and Development and Research and Focus Group Facilitation. jones huyett Partners is a  23 year full-service advertising agency.

“We are a great group of people, with a passion for marketing, advertising and public relations. We demonstrate everyday “the power of partnership” by working with our clients to make sure they are successful in their marketing efforts via branding, creative, traditional and digital media efforts. Part of my job is to share jhP services with the community. I am fairly new to SME Topeka, but I look forward to my involvement in the organization”, Michelle said.

Michelle is very involved in the community. She is a board director for both YWCA and Topeka Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the Topeka Planning Commission, is a Founder/Member of MANA de Topeka and a Topeka Library Foundation Trustee. She is the Lady Cobras 14U Fastpitch, Manager.

Michelle and her husband Chris have 2 kids: Elesia 14, Tyler 21.

She enjoys watching the Big Bang Theory and Women’s College Softball. Her favorite movie is Man on Fire. Her Hobbies include painting, community service and softball.

Washburn University Head Football Coach, Craig Schurig will be the featured speaker on April 10th at the Topeka Country Club.

In ten seasons as the Ichabods’ head coach, Craig Schurig has built one of the most respected programs in the MIAA with three NCAA playoff appearances and the 2005 MIAA title coming on the heels of a 2007, 2009 and 2011 runner-up finish in the conference race. He has completed a 72-44 record at Washburn. The 72 wins are on top of the all-time wins chart at Washburn.

Through his first ten seasons in addition to three NCAA playoffs and a conference title, Schurig has led the Washburn football program to the 2004 Mineral Water Bowl championship and the 2010 Kanza Bowl Championship.

In 2011, the Ichabods reached their third NCAA playoffs in school history going 10-3 in the season setting a school-record for the most wins in a season. Washburn also recorded its first win in school history during the playoffs with a 52-49 win over Abilene Christian.
The 2010 season saw the Ichabods go 8-4 with the Kanza Bowl appearance in front of a Topeka crowd topping a No. 24-ranked Midwestern State team.

During the 2009 campaign, Schurig led the Ichabods to their sixth straight winning season, something which had not been done in the program’s history, finishing with an 8-3 overall record and a second place MIAA finish with a 6-3 mark.

In 2008, the season was the fifth-straight winning campaign for the Ichabods and the first five-year run of winning seasons since the 1903-07 seasons.

In 2007, the Ichabods made their second NCAA playoff appearance with an 8-4 overall record and a 7-2 MIAA mark placing second in the conference.

Following the 2006 season, the Ichabods recorded a 7-4 record securing their third straight winning season for the first time since the 1986 to 1988 campaigns.

Schurig earned the 2005 MIAA’s Coach of the Year for his efforts leading the Ichabods that season in which Washburn won its first conference championship since the 1983 season. He was also named the AFCA’s Region 3 Coach of the Year. Washburn finished the 2005 season with a school-record nine wins and a 7-1 mark in conference play.

The 2004 season saw the Ichabods record their first winning season since 1999 and their first postseason win since 1986 with a 36-33 win over Northern State in the Mineral Water Bowl.

In his ten seasons at Washburn, the Ichabods have had 10 different players earn 32 different All-American accolades, two MIAA Most Valuable Defensive Players, an MIAA Offensive Player of the Year,  four MIAA Freshman of the Year awards and 123 players receive all-MIAA honors. He has been equally on task with players in the classroom with 130 Ichabods named to the MIAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll, including two Academic All-Americans.

While under Schurig, the Ichabod football program has also seen sweeping changes in facilities with the improvements to Yager Stadium including a new artificial turf and equipment upgrades in the weight room. In the summer of 2009, the Ichabods moved into a renovated football locker room and a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center in a renovated Whiting Fieldhouse as part of a $7 million project.

Schurig was named the Ichabod head coach on Dec. 28, 2001 after coaching for nearly a decade in a winning program.  Schurig has brought the knowledge of success, a winning attitude and a new intensity to the Ichabod football program.

Prior to joining Washburn, Schurig spent nine seasons on the Pittsburg State coaching staff, where he was a part of an NCAA national finalist squad in 1995, four MIAA championship teams and eight NCAA Division II playoff teams. He helped guide one of the top defenses in Division II, including the top-ranked defensive squad in 1999.

Prior to working with the defensive backs, he worked three seasons with the Gorillas’ tight ends. Before arriving at Pittsburg State, Schurig spent the 1992 season as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Colorado School of Mines before joining the Gorillas in 1993.

Schurig, a Willingboro, N.J., native, was a four-year letterman as a defensive back at Colorado Mines and was selected team captain as a senior. He earned second-team all-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors as a senior. He graduated in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering.

Schurig earned a master’s degree in physical education at Pittsburg State in 1996. Craig and his wife, Louisa, have a daughter, Samantha, and two sons, Mitchell and Michael.

Agenda
Social, 5:30 pm
Dinner, 6:00 pm
Program, 7-8:00 pm
Speaker: Lori DelliColli, CBS Publicity Director for the Big Bang Theory and Survivor

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