2010 Ray & Stella Dillon

Fred Kaplan - March 29, 2010

Fred Kaplan returns to his hometown of Hutchinson, to share his experiences as a journalist covering international relations and U.S. Foreign Policy.

Kaplan works for Slate magazine as a journalist and contributor. Prior to his time with Slate, Kaplan worked at the Boston Globe covering the Washington, Moscow and New York City area.

Kaplan was a member of a reporting team that garnered the Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the U.S. Soviet nuclear arms race.

In addition to working at the Globe, Kaplan has also written for The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker and Scientific American.

Kaplan is also the author of three books, 1959: The Year Everything Changed, The Wizards of Armageddon and his latest Daydream Believers, which looks at the Bush Administration in the post 911 era. He is also an avid enthausist of audio and video equipment, and has reported on the industry for Stereophile. He also enjoys jazz and often writes on that subject as well. 

Dr. Scott Parazynski & Capt. Jeff Ashby - September 27, 2010
Astronaut Dr. Scott Parazynski has led a life of adventure and will discuss his recent successful climb to the summit of Mount Everest, along with his colleague and fellow astronaut, Jeff Ashby.

Parazynski and Ashby will discuss the correlation between conquering the high summits of Earth and space travel. Parazynski is an expert on the subject, with summit climbs in the Alaska Range, the Cascades, the Rockies and the Andes, in addition to Everest. He has also been a member of five shuttle missions, including flying twice on both Atlantis and Discovery during his space career.

Captain Jeff Ashby makes a return appearance as a lecturer in the series, after appearing in the series in 2006. Ashby is a decorated member of the U.S. astronaut corps, and has a distinguised Naval and flight career that spans nearly all types of aircraft.

The duo will share their experiences as extreme climbers and adventurers.

Michael Josephson - November 9, 2010

Michael Josephson is the founder and president of the Josephson Institute and the Character Counts! project.

An internationally-renowned ethicist, Josephson has made an impact across the country with his educational programs in character and social responsibility.

Josephson is a commentator on a syndicated radio program, broadcast daily on radio stations throughout the United States and on the Armed Forces Network. He also posts a daily blog through the Josephson Institute, discussing his thoughts on character and responsibility.

Josephson travels the country as a motivational speaker and also serves as a consultant on character and team building for major companies and organizations. He has published three books, including: The Best is Yet to Come, The Power of Character and Parenting to Build Character in your Teen. Josephson’s teachings have served as a model for the Character Counts! program at Buhler School District, serving to address behavioral problems, student underachievement and dropout rates through positive reinforcement and an emphasis on integrity and responsibility.

Dr Jennifer Scott Koontz Orthopedic Physician and humanitarian, will speak March 10, as the second speaker of the 2010 Ray and Stella Dillon Lecture Series at Hutchinson Community College. Koontz will speak at 10:30 a.m. at the B.J. Warner Recital Hall in the Stringer Fine Arts Center. Cost to attend the lecture is only $5, with students admitted free.

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Henry Winkler (February 15, 2010) is perhaps best known as The Fonz but the talented actor, author and director has amassed an impressive career spanning nearly three decades in Hollywood.

In addition to his 10 seasons as The Fonz on Happy Days, Winkler has been recognized with two Golden Globe Awards and three Emmy nominations for his acting performances on a variety of television shows. He has served as an executive producer for several other notable television programs, including MacGyver, Hollywood Squares, and Sightings. He has also appeared in several motion pictures, including The Water Boy, Scream, and Holes, and has been in a number of Broadway productions.

He is the author of a series of childrens books, along with co-author Lin Oliver, entitled Hank Zipzer: The Worlds Most Amazing Under-Achiever. The books resonate strongly with Winkler, as they are inspired by his educational struggles due to learning challenges, including dyslexia. His books have been on the best seller lists for The Los Angeles Times and for Barnes and Noble.