Cal Poly's 2006 Baker Forum to Focus on World Without Oil; David Goodstein to Give Keynote Address May 7

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Caltech physicist David Goodstein will discuss rising gas prices and the looming end of the world's oil supply as part of his keynote address at the 2006 Baker Forum Sunday, May 7, at 4:30 p.m. in the Spanos Theatre. The event is free and open to the public.

Goodstein, author of "Out of Gas: The End of the Age of Oil," will talk about trends in petroleum supply and demand, the environmental impact of continued reliance on petroleum energy, and possible technological solutions.

"We are faced with a grave crisis that might change our way of life forever," says Goodstein. "We live in a civilization that evolved on the promise of an endless supply of cheap oil. The era of cheap oil will end, probably much sooner than most people realize."

Goodstein is vice provost and professor of physics and applied physics at Caltech, where he has been on the faculty for more than 35 years. In 1995, he was named the Frank J. Gilloon Distinguished Teaching and Service Professor. Among his achievements, he is the author of a book, States of Matter , first published in 1975, that was hailed by Physics Today as the book that launched a new discipline, Condensed Matter Physics. He was the host and project director of an award winning 52-part college physics telecourse, The Mechanical Universe , that has been used internationally to support both high school and college instruction. More recently, he has taken on larger issues of scientific and public policy, including the global energy challenge with his 2004 best-seller, Out of Gas: The End of the Age of Oil . Goodstein's many awards include the 1999 Oersted Medal of the American Association of Physics Teachers and the 2000 John P. McGovern Medal of the Sigma XI Society. He has served on and chaired numerous scientific and academic panels, including the National Advisory Committee to the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate of the National Science Foundation.

Cal Poly President Warren J. Baker will present Goodstein with the Wiley Lifetime Achievement Award. The award, sponsored by John Wiley and Sons Inc., recognizes distinguished achievements in higher education and public life.

"Through his path breaking research, David Goodstein has helped answer fundamental questions about the universe. Through his teaching, he has made physical principles accessible to generations of Caltech students and the wider public. Through his writings and public service, he has also helped focus our attention on critical public policy issues. We are delighted to be able to join with John Wiley and Sons Inc. to recognize his outstanding contributions to science and society," said Cal Poly President Warren Baker.

Goodstein's public presentation will lead off the 2006 Baker Forum at which invited leaders from industry, government and academe will discuss challenges associated with the global transition to a "post-oil" world. They will also work to identify key opportunities for the United States , California and polytechnic and science and technology universities, as we make the transition.

About the Baker Forum
The Baker Forum was established by the Cal Poly President's Cabinet on the occasion of the 20th year of service to Cal Poly by President Warren J. Baker and his wife, Carly. It was established to further the dialogue on critical public policy issues facing the nation and higher education. It gives particular attention to the special social and economic roles and responsibilities of polytechnic and science and technology universities.

A biennial event, the Baker Forum provides an opportunity for polytechnic and science and technology university presidents and industry leaders to come together in an issue-focused, highly interactive setting designed to promote international dialogue, highlight issues of critical importance and stimulate creative responses.

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