Hawking biography to be screened

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A biography of world renowned physicist Stephen Hawking will be shown on Western Michigan University's main campus at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, in 1110 Rood Hall.

"Hawking" is a PBS documentary billed as "a remarkable man, a remarkable story." Its screening is free and open to the public and being sponsored by the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society and WMU's Department of Physics.

The astronomical society will be providing popcorn and soft drinks. Those who attend are welcome to bring snacks to share. For more information about the society, visit kasonline.org. WMU parking and other maps are available by visiting parking.wmich.edu and clicking Parking Maps.

About the film

"Hawking" is the intimate and revealing story of Stephen Hawking's life. Told for the first time in Hawking's own words, this is a personal journey through Hawking's world and gives viewers unique access to his home and public life.

Viewers see him under the care of his nursing team; in San Jose as he "wows" a packed theatre audience; in Silicon Valley as he meets a team of technicians who hope to speed up his communication system; and as he throws a party for family and friends.

They also follow his passages from boyhood under-achiever to Ph.D. genius, and from a healthy coxswain on the Oxford rowing team to a diagnosis of motor neuron disease—with Hawking given two years to live, yet surviving several close brushes with death.

In addition, the film highlights the physicist's greatest scientific discoveries and plots his rise to fame and superstardom. 

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.