The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) will host a reception for UTSI graduates in the main lobby of the Academic Building on May 12, 2010, from 3:00 – 4:30 P.M.

Speakers for this event will include Robert N. Moore, Executive Director of The University of Tennessee Space Institute and M. Britt Covington, Executive Director, Arnold Engineering Development Center, Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee.

Mr. Covington received a Bachelor in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University in 1985, and an MS in Engineering Management from Mercer University, Georgia in 1991. He began his civil service career as an aerospace structural engineer at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins AFB, Georgia. Covington has served in a variety of positions in Air Force Material Command and the Air Force Safety Center, including Chief Engineer and Engineering Technical Director for the Contractor Logistics Support Aircraft Program Office, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. He was also a USAF aircraft mishap investigator and technical advisor to the Air Force Chief of Safety at Headquarters, Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M. Additionally, he has served as the Deputy Director for the 77th Aeronautical Systems Group. Prior to his current position, Covington served as the Technical Director for the 76th Maintenance Wing, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma and was responsible for the technical leadership at Oklahoma City-Air Logistics Center.

Robert N. “Buddy” Moore, came to the University of Tennessee in 1981 when he joined the UT Knoxville faculty as assistant professor of microbiology. During his years at Knoxville he was named head of the department of microbiology and associate dean for research and graduate programs for the college of Veterinary Medicine. Moore was over the research and graduate programs at the college and also directed the Center of Excellence in Livestock Diseases and Human Health. He directed the Comparative and Experimental Medicine (CEM) graduate program, a joint program of the college and the UT Health Science Center’s Graduate School of Medicine. Moore joined UTSI in January 2010.

Moore was staff fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the world’s foremost research centers before coming to the University of Tennessee. He is also an associate editor of the Journal of Immunology and editor of Infection and Immunity.

Moore received his BS and MS degrees from Clemson University and his doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

The public is invited and persons wishing to attend this event should make reservations by contacting Charlene Hane, Registrar, at 931-393-7228.