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Jerry Berg
Media Relations Department
(256) 544-0034
jerry.berg@msfc.nasa.gov

Release: 00-274

Marshall Center to celebrate 40th Anniversary Sept. 21

The year 1960 was an exciting yet turbulent time in history. John F. Kennedy became the 35th president of the United States; protests raged against segregation in the South and the Vietnam War; the American Football League was formed to rival the National Football League; FORTRAN was the standard computer programming language; and Chubby Checker introduced "The Twist."

It was also the year NASA - a new federal agency dedicated to civilian space exploration - created the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

On Sept. 21, current and retired employees of the Marshall Center will mark this turning point in history, noting both the Center's activation on July 1, 1960, and its dedication by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Sept. 8, 1960.

"Our theme is '40 Years of Excellence, The Adventure Continues,' and this is a reminder - from the Wernher von Braun early days of rocketry all the way up to the Chandra X-ray Observatory's launch last summer - of the great adventures we've had over the years at Marshall," said Marshall Center Director Art Stephenson. "We're taking a great tradition started by Dr. von Braun and carrying it into the future."

Events planned for the Sept. 21 employee celebration include a presentation and book signing by Apollo astronaut Gene Cernan; the placement of a time capsule; an anniversary cake with each of four tiers representing each of four decades; and a tribute to U.S. Army General George C. Marshall for whom the Marshall Center is named.

Information about specific 40th Anniversary activities follows.

40 Years of Excellence

Gen. George C. Marshall

George C. Marshall was a leader and strategist whose patriotism and human compassion earned him admiration around the world. He is perhaps best known for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his "Marshall Plan" - the 1948 European Recovery Program drafted to help rebuild war-torn Europe after World War II.

Marshall served as U.S. Army chief of staff during World War II, and, after retiring, became special ambassador to China, secretary of state, president of the American Red Cross and secretary of defense.

A tribute to Marshall will take place Sept. 21, during which the Marshall Management Association will announce the renaming of its annual scholarship as the George C. Marshall Scholarship.

A video about Gen. Marshall will be shown to employees Sept. 19.

First-hand remembrances

A video reviewing the Marshall Center's first 40 years will premiere Sept. 20. Entertaining as well as informative, the review of Marshall's history features employees, providing an opportunity for the older generation to relive the early days of the space program and a creative outlet by which members of the younger generation can interact with history.

A series of "history chats" with Marshall retirees is under way for employees. Edward O. Buckbee, public affairs officer for the Marshall Center's first director, Dr. Wernher von Braun, kicked off the first chat session Aug. 18. Buckbee is former director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.

Former Marshall Center directors will join Stephenson in a forum Sept. 21 to reflect on 40 years of space exploration successes, and to share their perspectives on the next 40 years.

The Adventure Continues

Employee celebration

Marshall's 40th Anniversary celebration is in keeping with the Center's recognition that its employees are its greatest strength.

"I believe that we have inherited a great tradition through the years from the von Braun team, and we need to embrace it and bring it forward with the excellence that team brought together," said Stephenson.

The schedule of events for Marshall's 40th Anniversary celebration follows.

Event Schedule

Tues., Sept. 19:

Time Event Location

Several times Gen. George C. Marshall video Center-wide

Wed., Sept. 20:

Time Event Location

10 a.m. Marshall 40^th Anniversary video Morris Auditorium

Thurs., Sept. 21:

Time Event Location: Bldg. 4200

8:45 a.m. Gen. Marshall tribute; 283^rd U.S. Army Band Morris Auditorium

9:50 a.m. Former Apollo astronaut Gene Cernan Morris Auditorium

10:40 a.m. Marshall Center Director’s Forum Morris Auditorium

11:30 a.m. Employee lunch; 283^rd U.S. Army Band Courtyard

11:30 a.m. Gene Cernan book signing Courtyard

1 p.m. Proclamation signing/Time Capsule Courtyard

2 p.m. 40^th Anniversary cake/Latin Rhythms band Courtyard

Note to Editors: The Sept. 21 events are focused in Marshall Bldg. 4200 on Rideout Road and the courtyard behind it. Media wishing to cover the events should call Marshall Media Relations Department at (256) 544-0034 for gate clearance.