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Astle Lecture Main Header Pellerin
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Special Initiatives
David Astle Memorial Lecture Series
David Astle Memorial Lecture Series
To Inspire
Each year the David Astle Memorial Lecture is a source of inspiration and motivation for our community. Through sharing their powerful messages with our students, these honored guest speakers show our students both the value of perseverance and the impact service can have on a global scale.
2026 Astle Lecture Series Speaker: Dr. Lisa Damour
Severn School welcomed to campus Dr. Lisa Damour, a recognized leader on the topics of stress, anxiety, well-being, parenting, and child development, in April 2026 as the featured guest speaker of the David Astle ’92 Memorial Lecture Series. Author of three New York Times bestsellers, including Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, Dr. Damour extended her visit to two full days and included separate presentations to all Upper School and Middle School students, small group workshops with senior prefects, a visit to an Upper School psychology class, and a final evening parent presentation.
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PAST LECTURE SERIES SPEAKERS:
List of 21 items.
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2025 - Dr. Charlie Pellerin '62
Severn School welcomed Dr. Charlie Pellerin ‘62, former Director of Astrophysics at NASA and professor of leadership at the University of Colorado Business School, to campus on April 3, 2025, as the featured guest speaker of the David Astle ‘92 Memorial Lecture Series.As a leader of several multi-billion dollar NASA programs, including the launch of the Hubble Space telescope and the challenging repair mission to fix it, Dr. Pellerin provided Severn’s Upper School students and faculty with a true insider’s look at his tremendous work and the impact of the decisions he has made throughout his lifetime, starting with his decision to attend Severn School.
To learn more, click here. -
2024 - Caleb Deschanel '62
Severn welcomed American film director and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel '62 back to campus as our 2024 David Astle Memorial Lecture Speaker. Mr. Deschanel's resume includes 6 Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography for the films The Right Stuff (1983), The Natural (1984), Fly Away Home (1996), The Patriot (2000), The Passion of the Christ (2004), and Never Look Away (2018). His most recent blockbuster hit was The Lion King (2019).
While he was on campus, Mr. Deschanel presented to the Upper School Students and Faculty in the morning, participated in a Q&A with students interested in film during lunch, and presented to members of our adult community in the evening at the Head of School Reception. He spoke about his craft, his journey to becoming a cinematographer, and the importance of always finishing a project. A true believer in following one's passions, Mr. Deschanel insists, "I feel like I've never worked a day in my life."
WATCH NOW: Video Recap of Mr. Deschanel's Visit
You can learn more about Deschanel's visit to Severn in the Fall 2024 issue of The Bridge. -
2023 - Andy DeHart '91
Andy Dehart ’91, a dedicated marine conservationist and President and CEO of Loggerhead Marinelife Center, was the featured speaker for the return of Severn School’s David Astle Memorial Lecture Series.Dehart, who previously served as a Shark Advisor for the Discovery Channel, spoke to Severn students from the Middle and Upper Schools, sharing a presentation titled “Live Every Week Like It’s Shark Week.” Following the morning assembly, Dehart hosted a Q&A for students interested in learning more about his career, visited several classes, and enjoyed lunch with students as well. See the full story here. -
2019 - Julie Lythcott-Haims
Julie Lythcott-Haims is the author of New York Times bestseller How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success. She is also known for writing Real American, a critically acclaimed memoir detailing her personal battle with low self-esteem that American racism inflicts on people of color. -
2018 - Elena Delle Donne
WNBA Star Elena Delle Donne, an inspiring American professional basketball player, advocate, and business woman. -
2017 - Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter
A medically retired United States Marine who received the United States' highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010. Carpenter is the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient. -
2016 - Kelsey Timmerman
Author and motivational speaker
Where Am I Wearing? A Global Tour to the Countries, Factories, and People That Make Our Clothes
http://whereamiwearing.com/ -
2015 - Celine Cousteau
Documentary film director and producer, explorer, and designer
Inspiration from Exploration: Notes from the Fie
http://www.celinecousteau.com/ -
2014 - Buzz Aldrin
Former astronaut
Reach for the Stars -
2013 - Kyle Maynard
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2012 - Chris Herren
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2010 - Mark Bowden
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2009 - Sonja Lyubomirsky
Author of The How of Happiness
http://sonjalyubomirsky.com/ -
2007 - Wendy Rieger
News anchor NBC News4
Going Green: Making a Difference for the Environment at School, Home and in the Community
https://www.nbcwashington.com/on-air/about-us/Wendy_Rieger.html -
2006 - Jeffrey Marx
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Season of Life: a Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood
http://www.jeffreymarx.org/ -
2005 - Gary Jobson
World-class sailor, television commentator and author
(http://jobsonsailing.com/) -
2005 - Morgan Wootten
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2004 - Robert Evans, Ph.D.
Changing Families, Changing Schools: Raising Healthy Children in Challenging Times
http://drbobevans.com/ -
2003 - Mariah Burton Nelson
Professional athlete and author
We Are All Strong, We Are All Brave -
2002 - Dr. Rudolph P. Lamone
Chairman of the Board of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Maryland
https://www.crunchbase.com/person/dr-rudolph-p-lamone -
2000 - Thomas Siebert
Former United States Ambassador to Sweden. Inaugural speaker.
The Parent Trap: Aspirations and Directions for Our Children
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_L._Siebert
VIDEO RECAP OF DR. PELLERIN'S ASTLE LECTURE
SUPPORT THE DAVID ASTLE MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT
This program is part of our Student Programs category of endowed funds. A gift to this category of funds enables us to invite talented performers, speakers, educators, and activists to Severn so our students learn to examine and appreciate the many perspectives and experiences possible in our world.
You can find more information about endowment giving here.
You can find more information about endowment giving here.
ABOUT THE DAVID ASTLE MEMORIAL FUND
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David Astle
David Sheridan Astle '92 is the late son of the Honorable and Mrs. John C. Astle, Maryland State Senator (District 30). The 23-year-old died tragically in December 1997, when a deer stepped into the path of a car he was riding in.
A 1992 Severn School alumnus, David was an active member of the school community during his seven years as a student, and a well-liked member of the alumni body. He told his mother shortly before his death that he felt he had developed life-long friends while at Severn School.
He realized Severn taught him more than the basics of education; Severn School helped develop his character by encouraging his own innate sense of integrity, responsibility, honor, and commitment.
A 1992 Severn School alumnus, David was an active member of the school community during his seven years as a student, and a well-liked member of the alumni body. He told his mother shortly before his death that he felt he had developed life-long friends while at Severn School.
He realized Severn taught him more than the basics of education; Severn School helped develop his character by encouraging his own innate sense of integrity, responsibility, honor, and commitment.
The David Astle Memorial Endowment, begun by Senator and Mrs. Astle in 1998, funds this annual lecture series through which knowledgeable and/or inspirational speakers are invited to share their expertise, experiences, and messages with the community.
