Next A&M International Sánchez Lecture Will Feature True Adventure on the High Seas

On Tuesday, October 30, 2001, Alvah Simon will share his tale of adventure in a lecture entitled "North to the Night: a Year in the Arctic Ice" as part of Texas A&M International University's 2001-2002 A.R. Sánchez Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series. The program will begin at 7 p.m in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. Admission is free of charge and open to the public.

In 1994, Simon and his wife Diana planned to explore the Canadian Arctic. After their small boat was frozen for three months in the ice, Diana was airlifted to tend to an emergency back home. Left alone in the perpetual winter night, Simon experienced an "uncomfortable awakening of my spiritual self." His amazing exploration of the Arctic Circle, and the accompanying mental journey, is one of the true adventure tales of our times.

The couples' story received world-wide coverage. A book about the venture, "North to the Night," was published in 1999. Both Simon and his wife were awarded the Cruising World Outstanding Seamanship Award in 1997. Simon is an adventurer of long standing, having traveled in Borneo jungles, African deserts and the ship graveyards of Cape Horn.

The A. R. Sánchez Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series honors A.R. Sánchez Sr. (1916-1992), a celebrated member of the Laredo community known for his philanthropic efforts, work ethic and generosity. This will be the second lecture in the series. Future presentations will be "A Chief and Her People," presented on March 27, 2002 by the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and "Texas Politics in the 21st Century: Has South Texas Come of Age?" presented by columnist Carlos Guerra, April 18, 2002. All lectures are held in the Great Room and begin at 7 p.m.

For further information, please contact the Office of the Dean of A&M International's College of Arts and Humanities at 956.326.2460, visit offices in Killam Library 429, or visit the University website, www.tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu