UND Observatory to hold second annual fundraising banquet in March

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

2-11-2013

Campus Unit

John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

Abstract

World renowned scientist, host of weekly radio show to be keynote speaker

The University of North Dakota Observatory will host its second annual fundraising banquet Monday, March 25, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Grand Forks, from 5 to 10 p.m. The observatory is part of the UND Department of Space Studies in the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

This year's keynote speaker is Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. Shostak is a world famous scientist who gives presentations around the world, has written several books and hosts the weekly radio show "Are We Alone".

The banquet will also feature U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.; Department of Space Studies faculty member and Observatory director Paul Hardersen; andDepartment of Physics and Astrophysics faculty member Tim Young.

The event comprises dinner and a silent auction. All proceeds from the banquet benefit the UND Observatory, a nonprofit organization, and will allow the Observatory to upgrade its equipment and facilities.

The event begins at 5 p.m., with an hour for socializing.

Three brief talks will start at 6 p.m., and will end at 7 p.m., when dinner is served. Shostak will deliver his talk, titled "What happens when we find Extraterrestrial Intelligence?", from 8 to 9 p.m.

Following the presentations, silent auction winners will be announced and payment collected. Please be sure to bring cash or check.

Tickets for the banquet cost $25 for students and $60 for members of the community. New this year, we will stream the banquet talks live over the internet. To log in, the ticket is just $25. You also can bid on the silent auction items remotely. Donations also will be accepted.

*For Shostak's most recent TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/seth_shostak_et_is_probably_out_there_get_ready.html

For more information on the UND Observatory, please visit http://observatory.space.edu, follow us on Twitter at @UNDObservatory, or "Like" the Facebook page "University of North Dakota Observatory".

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