The symposium will feature a keynote address by aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff, a three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Team champion and National Aviation Hall of Fame inductee.
“Patty Wagstaff is not simply a pioneer in aviation — she is one of the most accomplished and respected aerobatic pilots in the world. To have someone of her extraordinary caliber come to Marshall University and share her story with our students and community is a remarkable opportunity,” Smith said. “Her career is a powerful example of what can happen when talent is matched with courage, discipline and a willingness to push beyond perceived limits. Whether you are interested in aviation or simply inspired by people who have achieved at the very highest level, you will want to be in the room to hear Patty Wagstaff.”
After the keynote address, a panel of local women professionals in the aviation field will speak and answer questions related to their career journeys.
The Alys Smith Symposium series is sponsored by the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program and the Office of the President. It celebrates and highlights the achievements and contributions of women in various professional fields.
The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.
For more information, contact Dr. Hilary Brewster, director of the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, at brewsterh@marshall.edu.