Columbus, IN – The IUPUC Alumni Association will host an Excellence in Leadership presentation at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, in the Columbus Learning Center Lecture Hall.

The event titled “Dash for a Cure/Modern Day Amelia Earhart,” will be led by pilot CarolAnn Garrett.

Garratt and Carol Foy recently shattered the world record for flying around the world westbound in a single engine, piston plane by circling the globe in only eight and a half days. The duo completed the trip to raise money and awareness for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Crossing over 20,780 nautical miles (nearly 24,000 miles) at an average speed of 115 mph, Garratt and Foy broke the old world record of 54.6 mph, certified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, which has been held for 20 years. The two women spent 204 hours together in a cockpit, stopping only eight times for refueling. The National Aeronautic Association, the U.S. governing body, is naming the duo’s flight as one of the most memorable aviation and space records of 2008.

Garratt and Foy paid for the flight in its entirety, ensuring that all money raised goes directly to finding a cure for ALS. They have raised over $184,000, but hope to reach $1 million after the completion of the tour promoting their book, “Upon Silver Wings II; World-Record Adventure.”

For more information about Garratt and Foy, visit www.alsworldflight.com.