Astronaut to Keynote Black History Month

EX-ASTRONAUT TO KEYNOTE UNITED BLACK WORLD MONTH

     COLUMBUS -- U.S. Marine Col. Charles F. Bolden Jr., deputy
commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former astronaut who
flew four space shuttle missions, will give the keynote address
during United Black World Month at The Ohio State University.

     Bolden will speak Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Ohio Union West
Ballroom about his experiences as an African American in the
space program.  The talk is free and open to the public and will
be followed by a question and answer session.

     The presentation is one of several programs marking the 25th
anniversary of United Black World Month at Ohio State.  The theme
this year is "NIA: Celebrating 25 Years of Helping African
American Students Find Their Purpose."  Nia is a Swahili word
meaning "purpose."

     Bolden's visit is sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps and co-
sponsored by African American Student Services at Ohio State.

     As an astronaut in 1986, Bolden served on board the
Columbia, which deployed the SATCOM KU satellite.  In 1990, he
and his crew deployed the Hubble Space Telescope.  Two years
later, he commanded Atlantis, and in 1994, Bolden commanded the
Discovery crew on the first joint U.S./Russian space shuttle
mission.

     At the Naval Academy, Bolden handles daily operations for
the 4,000 member brigade and directs the training of brigade
officers.

     He has a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical science
from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master of Science degree in
systems management from the University of Southern California.
Bolden holds several distinguished military honors and several
honorary degrees.

     African American Student Services provides programs and
services that address the needs and concerns of Ohio State
students of African descent.
                                #

NOTE TO REPORTERS:  Bolden will be available for interviews from
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 in the Failer Lounge of the Ohio
Union.

Contact:  Joyce Vaughan, director, African American Student
Services, (614) 292-6584, or Capt. Rich Burgess, U.S. Marine
Corps, (614) 486-0389.


[Submitted by: REIDV  (reidv@ccgate.ucomm.ohio-state.edu)
               
Thu, 09 Feb 1995 11:24:36 -0500 (EST)]
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