Heroic Capt. 'Sully' Sullenberger to sign books at Purdue on Nov. 12
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The public has an opportunity to meet Purdue alumnus Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who safely landed a commercial airliner aircraft in the Hudson River in 2009, at a book signing Friday, Nov. 12.
Copies of his book, "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters," will be available to purchase at the signing, scheduled for 1:30-3 p.m. in Purdue's Stewart Center, Room 306. Because demand may exceed the time provided, those who wish to attend must be among the first to register ahead by e-mailing events@purdue.edu or by calling 765-494-0900. A confirmation will be issued, which will be required for entrance.
Just after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport on Jan. 15, 2009, a flock of geese took out both engines on his US Airways airliner. Sullenberger told his passengers to brace for a hard landing and then set the plane down safely on the Hudson River. With the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop, he stayed on board until all 155 passengers and crew were safely off the plane.
A native of rural Texas who learned to fly as a teenager, Sullenberger received his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 1973. Within weeks he was at Purdue taking summer classes to complete his master's work.
Sullenberger will be on campus to be honored at the Purdue President's Council annual lunch and dinner that Friday. At the lunch, he will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Liberal Arts, where he earned his master's degree in industrial psychology in 1973. Both events are sold out.
Writer: Jeanne V. Norberg, (765) 494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu
Source: Lisa Calvert, vice president for development (765) 496-2144, lcalvert@purdue.edu