The location of this event has been changed to the Russell House Ballroom. A reception follows at Davis College on the Horseshoe.
Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., USMC (ret.), a former astronaut and 12th NASA administrator, will keynote the University of South Carolina School of Information Science’s 50th anniversary celebration on April 30.
During his time at NASA, the Columbia native traveled in orbit on the space shuttle four times, piloting two missions and commanding two others. Gen. Bolden now serves as founder and CEO emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group LLC, where he leads and educates in the fields of space/aerospace exploration, national security, STEM+AD and health initiatives.
“I am particularly excited about our keynote speaker,” says iSchool Interim Director Karen Gavigan. “His mother, Ethel Bolden, was a barrier-breaking school librarian and library educator. We are looking forward to hearing Gen. Bolden speak about her influence on his life, along with his thoughts about the field of information science and where it may be headed.”
The keynote will take place in the Russell House Ballroom at 2 p.m., followed by a reception at Davis College where refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. More than 250 people have already registered for the free event.
Participants can show their support to the iSchool and commemorate the historical event by supporting the 50 for 50 campaign. The Library and Information Science Student Association painted a card catalog in Davis College, and those who donate $50 or more will have their names displayed on it. Each drawer can hold three names, or donors can buy an entire drawer for $150.
“I am so pleased that our 50 for 50 campaign has already raised over $20,000 dollars, which will be used for scholarships for our students and more,” Gavigan says.
Attendees can also purchase 50th anniversary T-shirts, sweatshirts and Cocky Librarian baseball caps to commemorate the celebration. All proceeds will support the iSchool and LISSA.
Along with the celebration, there will be several notable weekend events at the university. South Carolina’s baseball team will take on Alabama at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 29. On Saturday, there will be Anne Frank Center tours at 10 a.m. and noon, as well as a Horseshoe walking tour with university archivist Elizabeth West at 4 p.m.
Find more information here or contact Danielle McNaughton at mcnaugd@mailbox.sc.edu or 803-777-6931.
To sign up for the Anne Frank Center Tours or the Horseshoe tour, contact Jeanna Holmes at holmesj2@mailbox.sc.edu. Anne Frank Center tours are limited to 15 participants each and are first come, first served.
Albemarle, North Carolina native Brooke Burris is a senior public relations major. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in travel and tourism PR. In her free time, Brooke enjoys hiking, painting and spending time with friends.