News Briefs

A new multimedia Star Theater show at UNC’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center explores theories behind the mass extinction of dinosaurs – and shows how mass extinction could happen today, too.

"Extinction!", which opens June 10, uses animation, interviews with leading research scientists and graphic depictions of geologic and paleontologic evidence to explore the effects of asteroid impacts, massive volcanic eruptions and other events that could change life on Earth.

William Shatner, the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actor, narrates "Extinction!" Will Osborne, who wrote the Morehead Center’s popular "Magic Tree House Space Mission" show, created the script.

"Extinction!" features UNC College of Arts and Sciences faculty members Dr. Patricia Gensel, a professor of paleobotany; Dr. Allen Glazner, a professor of geological sciences; and Dr. Daniel Reichart, assistant professor of physics and astronomy.

Dr. Paul Sereno, the University of Chicago paleontologist who has appeared on People magazine’s "50 Most Beautiful People" list and Esquire magazine’s "100 Best People in the World" list, also appears in the Morehead Center show.

Planetarium staff members recommend the show for adults and older children. During the summer, the Morehead Center will present "Extinction!" on weekdays, as well as weekends. A full schedule of show times is available on the Morehead Center Web site: www.moreheadplanetarium.org.

Dr. Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, professor of health policy and administration in UNC’s School of Public Health, has been selected by President George W. Bush to serve as one of the 22 members of the bipartisan advisory committee to the White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA).

The advisory committee’s role is to advise the policy committee on the content and direction of the WHCoA and contribute to the development of resolutions and background materials for the delegates.

Dilworth-Anderson also directs the UNC Institute on Aging’s Center for Aging and Diversity. Her research interests include minority aging, family caregiving and aging, health disparities, dementia and caregiving and long-term care.

"We’re very proud that Dr. Dilworth-Anderson has been selected for this role," said Dr. Margaret B. Dardess, interim dean of the School of Public Health. "Her expertise in pressing issues of aging, combined with her exceptional commitment to public health, makes her an excellent choice. She will be a great asset to the president and to the Conference on Aging Policy Committee."

The 2005 White House Conference on Aging will be held Dec. 11-14 in Washington, D.C. Such conferences are held about every 10 years to develop recommendations for the president and Congress on issues, policy and research in the field of aging.

For more information, visit www.whcoa.gov.

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News Services contact: Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415 or deborah_saine@unc.edu