Creativity, eccentricity, extraordinary individuals and 11 outstanding scholars are the focus of the 12th annual Yeager Symposium Oct. 12-Oct. 15. Each year, the symposium highlights a topic of interest to the public and the university. This year's theme, "Creativity and Eccentricity," is an event to recognize the 11 Yeager Scholars who were awarded scholarships in honor of Gen. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager, the West Virginian who pioneered America's manned space exploration by breaking the sound barrier in 1947. "The purpose of the symposium is to share with the community a series of lecturers on a certain topic in-depth," said Martha C. Woodward, executive director of the John R. Hall Center for Academic Excellence. Woodward said the Yeager Scholars pick the topic, not the faculty. In the past, Woodward said, topics have centered around science, political science and economic fields of study. "This year the students wanted to do something different, so they choose something that covered all fields," Woodward said. "Creativity and Eccentricity" focuses on individuals from around the world who have made creative and perhaps eccentric achievements which have improved the culture of education. The series focuses on what individuals do with creative spirit once they have it. "It shows where (the creative spirit) goes, what do they do with it, and how it fosters," Woodward said. The first of the presentations will be by James Burke at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 12 at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse. Burke is a science-historian, author and television host who has published numerous books including "The Day the Universe Changed," "Connections," and "The Axemaker's Gift." Burke has produced and hosted shows for PBS, both in the United Kingdom and in the United States and for The Learning Channel. As part of "History Alive," James E. Casto, of the Herald-Dispatch, will bring Collis P. Huntington, founder of the city, to life in a dialogue with Dr. Calvin A. Kent, dean of the Elizabeth McDowell Lewis College of Business, at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 13 in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theater. In their dialogue, Casto and Kent will discuss the changes in local commerce from Hunting-ton's time to the present. Elliot Mannette, a native of Trinidad-Tobago, will explore creativity in music at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 14 at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theater. Mann-ette is the principal innovator and designer of the steel drum. An artist in residence at West Virginia Univer-sity, Mannette has performed at the Smithsonian Museum and the Metropolitan Museum. As part of Mannette's performance, the Marshall Steel Band will perform as an introduction. The speaker series concludes at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 15 at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theater with a keynote panel which will discuss the year's theme of "Creativity and Ecc-entricity" in relation to the performing arts. The panel consists of Mary Anne Pennington from the Huntington Museum of Art; John Van Kirk, assistant professor of English; John C. Fiedler, Hollywood film maker and producer and Paula Clendenin, a visual artist from Charleston. The week culminates Friday, Oct. 16 with an awards and recognition dinner for the Yeager Scholars, parents, alumni, and guests. Yeager, as the guest of honor, will introduce the 11 students who were selected as the 12th class of Yeager Scholars. The scholars were chosen from 163 applicants for the Society of Yeager Scholars program, which provides students with an intensive, enriched educational program over the next four years.

The students, who were named in June, are David J. DeSario of Palm City, Fla.; Elizabeth R. Duke of Hoover, Ala.; Claire E. Elmore of Saline, Mich.; Kathyrn E. Lorenz of Huber Heights, Ohio; Jennifer K. Miller of Warrenton, Va.; Katherine E. Morse of Chesapeake, Ohio; Jeremy S. Ramey of Panama City, Fla.; Adam S. Rizai of Akron, Ohio; Adrienne M. Smith of Huntington; Angela E. Spiker of Pennsboro; and Zachary A. Weir of Beckle.

As Yeager Scholars, the students receive tuition and fees, an allowance for textbooks and supplies, half of their housing costs and a $4,000 stipend that will allow them to study in a foreign country.

The dinner is by invitation only. All symposium presentations are free and open to the public.