From B-17 bombing runs over Europe in World War II to scientific discoveries aboard NASA space shuttle missions, former astronaut Dr. Jan Davis chronicles two transformative eras in American aviation history from a personal perspective in her book 鈥淎ir Born: Two Generations in Flight.鈥�
Davis will share 鈥淎ir Born鈥� stories during an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) super bonus program on Friday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 112 of the Student Services Building at 草榴社区 (UAH). The event is open to the public free of charge. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.
鈥淥LLI is proud to offer this great event to the public,鈥� said Clay Williams, OLLI at UAH program manager. 鈥淚t serves as an example of the wonderful programming that OLLI produces for its members as we celebrate the motto of 鈥楴ever Stop Learning鈥�.鈥�
Before Davis became a NASA astronaut in June 1987, she received two degrees from UAH, a master鈥檚 in 1983 and a doctorate in 1985, both in mechanical engineering. She went on to log more than 673 hours in space on three shuttle flights as mission specialist for STS-47 in 1992 and STS-60 in 1994 and as payload commander for STS-85 in 1997.
Her father, Ben Smotherman, was a B-17 pilot in World War II. He was shot down over The Netherlands in July 1943 and endured 21 months as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III. While reading her father鈥檚 Wartime Log, Davis discovered echoes between his combat experiences and her own experiences and emotions during shuttle launches and space travel.
OLLI at UAH, a vibrant community of lifelong learners age 50-plus, gives members the opportunity to stay intellectually and socially active through courses, special activities and bonus lectures. Courses, offered in-person and online, cover various topics designed to enhance knowledge and skills.
For more information on OLLI at UAH, visit uah.edu/library/olli.