NAAA Kickoff Banquet
National Academy of Sciences
Washington, D.C.
July 12, 1997

The Reception

A reception at the National Academy was held the hour prior to dinner. Throughout the reception hall were the GSFC 1996 Academy Group Project Mars Display, GSFC 1997 Group Project NASA Academy Display, and Alumni Research Posters.


Michelle Minitti (SAII) and her Poster.


Gene Fujii (SAII) with Andrew Hoppin (SAII) and guest.

The Banquet

Mike Moreau (SAII) and Eric Anderson (SAIII) welcomed and gave an overview of the NAAA. The banquet portion of the evening focused on The Future. The evening's Keynote Address, given by Mr. David Thompson, President and CEO, Orbital Corporation (formerly Orbital Sciences Corp.) focused on the future of the Space Industry and the role that the NAAA can play in that future. Prior to Mr. Thompson's remarks, brief comments reflecting on the past five years of Academy and looking ahead to the future of various aspects of the Space Program were given by: Mr. Al Diaz - Deputy Director of GSFC, Dr. Daniel Goroff - Dr. Soffen's very first intern at JPL and currently with the Office of Science and Technology Policy under Jack Gibbons at the White House, and Dr. Soffen. Mr. Joseph Rothenberg, Director of GSFC wraped up the ceremony with a view of the future of NASA. At the conclusion of the banquet, Dr. Soffen was presented with a painting by Craig Farnham (SAII) depicting the Academy flag being raised by Academy alumni on Mars beside the Viking lander. That's a future to look forward to!.


Eric's Welcome


Mr. Al Diaz, Deputy Director, GSFC


Dr. Daniel Goroff, Office of Science and
Technology Policy, The White House


Mr. Dave Thompson, President and CEO,
Orbital Corporation


Mr. Joseph Rothenberg, Director, GSFC


Dr. Soffen with his gift


Jim Brice and Dr. Soffen


Dr. Soffen and his wife Kazuko


Academy's own Men In Black


The Future of Academy

For more pictures from the Banquet click here.

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