University of Richmond Faculty Available to Discuss the Moon Landing; July Marks 50th Anniversary of Historic Event

July will mark the 50th anniversary of the United States' Apollo 11, the first manned mission to land on the moon in July 1969. University of Richmond has scholars who can share their expertise related to this historic anniversary from a variety of perspectives.

An experts guide related to the Moon Landing is available at news.richmond.edu/moon-landing. Scholars include:

Featured expert

Jack Singal on astrophysics and Moon Landing legacy
Singal, a physics professor who worked at NASA, can speak about the Moon Landing both as an astrophysicist and self-described “space history nerd.” He can discuss how such a major achievement was completed in a short period of time and the fact that the moon missions are still the furthest any humans have been from Earth.

Additional experts

Scott Allison on heroic leadership
Allison is a psychology professor and expert on heroes. His research program examines the psychology of heroism, leadership, and heroic leadership. He works to shed light on why heroes are so vital to our lives. Scott can discuss the influence and inspiration of astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Della Dumbaugh on Hidden Figures
Dumbaugh, professor of mathematics, can speak about the book and movie Hidden Figures, which focuses on the African-American women who contributed to the space program. She can discuss the broader history of women in mathematics and offer insights on encouraging women to pursue and persist in math and science.

Joe Essid on The Space Race
Essid’s course “The Space Race” explores the Moon Landing through the lenses of fiction, journalism, documentary, and dramatic film. Essid can discuss the unity of the nation and drive to fulfill Kennedy’s promise of putting a man on the moon. He can also speak about Russia’s space program.

Jerry Gilfoyle on rocketry
Gilfoyle, a physics professor, was 12 when Apollo 11 landed on the moon, and the space program was part of his inspiration for becoming a scientist. He discusses many space-related topics in his classes and has worked on policy touching on rocketry with regards to nuclear arms proliferation and the associated missile technology.

An experts guide related to the Moon Landing is available at news.richmond.edu/moon-landing.

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Contact Sunni Brown, sbrown5@richmond.edu, assistant director of media and public relations at the University of Richmond, to connect with these experts.