VERO BEACH — The Emerson Center Humanities Series, in partnership with the Florida Humanities Council and sponsored in part by Marine Bank & Trust, concludes the six-performance series on Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m., with former astronaut Jon McBride. McBride will discuss The Florida Space Program: Its Past, Present and Future.
McBride’s naval service began in 1965 with flight training at Pensacola, FL. After receiving his wings as a naval aviator, he was assigned to fighter squadrons, served as a fighter pilot and division officer, and while deployed to Southeast Asia, McBride flew numerous combat missions.
He has flown over 40 different types of military and civilian aircraft and piloted the Navy “Spirit of ’76.” He holds current FAA ratings which include commercial pilot (multi-engine,) instrument, and glider, and he previously served as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI.)
NASA selected McBride as an astronaut candidate in January 1978, and he became an astronaut in August 1979. In 1987, McBride was assigned to NASA headquarters to serve as Assistant Administrator for Congressional Relations, and in 1989, Captain McBride retired from NASA and the Navy in order to pursue a business career.
He is currently a member of the Kennedy Space Center Astronaut Encounter team and does lecturing and corporate motivational presentations.
The Florida Humanities Series is presented by The Emerson Center at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vero Beach. Six acclaimed speakers and performers have been presented at the center since October 2012 with presentations relating to Florida history and issues.
Admission to each has been complimentary.
Funding for these programs was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the Florida Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The capacity of the Emerson Center is more than 800.
Free admission will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
The Emerson Center is handicapped-accessible and is conveniently located at 1590 27th Ave., on the SE corner of 16th St. and 27th Ave. in Vero Beach.
For more information, please call (772) 778-5249.
