LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, will present its 2013 Distinguished Laureate Series on Wednesday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Center's Great Hall. There will also be a youth lecture on Tuesday, February 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.
World-renowned physicist Dr. Oliver Keith Baker will make a presentation on the pioneering research that led to the discovery of a subatomic particle believed to be the Higgs boson, which is considered so significant to the understanding of the universe that it has been called the "God Particle."
Dr. Baker, a native of McGehee, Arkansas and a 2006 inductee into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, is at the forefront of nanotechnology. He is Director of the A.W. Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory at Yale University. Last July, Baker's team of Yale University physicists, in collaboration with physicists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland, made the groundbreaking discovery of the particle believed to be the Higgs boson. The Higgs boson explains why particles have mass, and in turn why we exist. Without the boson, the universe would have no physical matter, only energy.
"The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation is proud to welcome Dr. Baker back to his home state to discuss the discovery of the 'God Particle' and the cutting edge research he is conducting," Charles Stewart, Chairman of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation said.
"Dr. Baker's lecture during our Distinguished Laureate Series continues our tradition of showcasing African Americans with Arkansas roots who have triumphed over difficult circumstances to rise to the top of their fields."
Past Laureate Series include presentations from James McKissic, classic pianist; Dr. James Hildreth, University of California Dean of the College of Biological Sciences; and Amina Claudine Myers, jazz pianist.
To attend Wednesday's free Distinguished Laureate Series featuring Dr. Oliver Keith Baker, you must make a reservation by calling 501.748.0149.