A former U.S. Air Force Thunderbird pilot who went on to become a SpaceX astronaut will share his experiences during a special lecture at Berry College in Rome later this month.

Scott “Kidd” Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, will speak Thursday, October 29, at 6 PM in the Krannert Ballroom as part of the college’s Cecil B. Wright III Integrity in Leadership Lecture Series. The event is free and open to the public.

Poteet served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, including service as a pilot with the elite Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team. During his military career, he commanded numerous missions around the world.

Following his military service, Poteet fulfilled a childhood dream of traveling into space. He was a member of the historic five-day Polaris Dawn mission aboard a SpaceX spacecraft launched by a Falcon 9 rocket.

In addition to his military and spaceflight accomplishments, Poteet is an accomplished endurance athlete who has competed in 16 Ironman triathlons, including the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.

During his presentation at Berry College, Poteet will discuss leadership, humility, finding personal purpose and overcoming challenges. He is expected to share how he overcame obstacles, including motion sickness and a fear of heights, while pursuing his goals.

The annual Cecil B. Wright III Integrity in Leadership Lecture Series brings distinguished leaders to Berry College to share their experiences with students, faculty and members of the community. The series honors Wright’s legacy and his commitment to ethical leadership.

The October 29 lecture begins at 6 PM and is open to anyone interested in attending.

Additional information is available at www.berry.edu/bcil/lecture.