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Arthur C. Clarke Gala

November 15, 2001

The Space Frontier Foundation presented the first annual Arthur C. Clarke awards gala on November 15, 2001, and the Foundation’s designated beneficiary was Permission to Dream.  Other beneficiaries included The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, The Arthur C. Clarke Centre for Modern Technologies (ACCMT) and The SETI Institute Haughton Mars Project.

Actors Patrick Stewart and Morgan Freeman at the 2001 Clarke Gala.

The event brought together Hollywood and space celebrities to celebrate Sir Arthur, the noted author of "2001, A Space Odyssey."  Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman was the featured speaker, reading a passage from "Rendezvous with Rama," one of the many science fiction novels written by Sir Arthur. 

Director James Cameron speaks at the Clarke Gala.

As part of the festivities, Permission to Dream representatives hosted a sky-watching station, setting up two Meade telescopes for the attendees.  After being signed by Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Titanic director James Cameron, these telescopes were included in the evening’s silent auction.  PTD was honored to have Scott Roberts, National Sales Director of Meade Corporation, present at the evening.