FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Ramona Kelly, Associate Director
Center for American History
1 University Station D1100
Austin, Texas 78712-0335
Phone: (512) 495-4696
RamonaKelly@austin.utexas.edu
Center for American History will conduct
educational outreach programs in Corpus Christi
The filming of “Last Best Hope” in Belgium, 2001. L to R: Former 1st Lt. Bill Grosvenor, wife Doris, and son David visit the site in Belgium where Grosvenor’s P-47 crashed in 1943. Also pictured: Director of Photography Wilson Waggoner and Sound Mixer Mark Lutte. Photo by Rick Patrick.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – June 20, 2007 – What do the USS Lexington, an award-winning PBS documentary, and a curriculum guide for teachers have in common? They’re all part of the Center for American History’s plans to introduce its new Military History Institute to the Greater Corpus Christi area this fall.
On Friday, August 24, the Center will host a reception and screening of the WWII-related documentary film, Last Best Hope: A True Story of Escape, Evasion, and Remembrance, for 200 invited guests aboard the USS Lexington. This legendary WWII aircraft carrier is now a museum, permanently harbored in Corpus Christi Bay, and includes a MEGA film theater where the flight deck elevator once stood. Guests at the event will include active and retired U.S. military personnel, UT alumni, Texas Exes, civic leaders, and other friends of the University in the Corpus Christi area. Last Best Hope, which was sponsored in part by the Center for American History, is a compelling example of the kinds of programs and projects the Center’s new Institute will foster. The film recently received the Silver Hugo Award for Television Excellence in the documentary category as well as the Audience Choice Award and Best Feature-Length Documentary Award at the Mendocino Film Festival.
Dr. Thomas M. Hatfield, director of the Center for American History’s Military History Institute.
During the program on the USS Lexington, Dr. Thomas M. Hatfield, director of the Center’s new Military History Institute, will provide guests with an overview of the Institute’s mission and vision, as well as upcoming programs and study tours.
On Saturday, August 25, the Center’s activities will move to the Art Museum of South Texas, where Dr. Hatfield will deliver a free public lecture about the Normandy landing on D-Day. Following the lecture, the Center’s new Assistant Director for Education, Dr. Cynthia DuBois, will conduct a workshop for middle and high school teachers. Educators will receive Dr. DuBois’ curriculum based on the concept of “Moral Courage” and a companion DVD of Last Best Hope for use in the classroom.
“We are extremely pleased to have this opportunity to let our friends in Corpus Christi know what the Center is doing to engage and inform people of all ages about our nation’s military history,” said Center Director Dr. Don Carleton, “particularly as it relates to universal lessons learned and how contemporary society can benefit from those lessons. Last Best Hope is a remarkable testament to the moral courage and sacrifices of the WWII generation, and we are honored to bring this powerful teaching tool to educators in the Corpus Christi area.”
For an invitation to the reception and screening on the USS Lexington or for additional information about the free public lecture and teacher workshop, contact Associate Director Ramona Kelly at the Center for American History, (512) 495-4696 or ramonakelly@austin.utexas.edu.
