On a beautiful Friday evening, April 20, twenty successful bidders from the 2006 Gala Dinner & Auction enjoyed drinks and dinner with Russell Johnson, "the Professor" from Gilligan's Island, who had a long career in film and television.

Johnson, along with his wife, Connie, met with the bidders before dinner for drinks. In the living room of the Bailey House on Discovery Road, Johnson talked about being shot down as a pilot during World War II, about going to acting school on the GI Bill, and about the early  days television and movies. He also talked about how he turned down the role of the Professor twice before accepting it.

Johnson also starred in a number of motion pictures, including one of the first-ever 3D films, It Came From Outer Space. He appeared in other films with such luminaries as Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis, and Ronald Reagan. Now, he remains proud of the fact that his character, the Professor, helped many children to get excited about science.

Thank you! to all those Gala attendees who bid on this experience. Your generosity supports Centrum programs and scholarships. Without your support, the experiences in the arts that take place each month at Centrum would simply not happen.