SHSU Grad Returns as President's Speaker Series Guest
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Jackie Nink Pflug |
When elementary education major Jackie Ann Nink from Pasadena
took a course entitled Abnormal Psychology in the fall of 1976,
she had no idea that nine years later she would meet tragedy,
and three of the most abnormal people on earth.
She got her
bachelor of arts in teaching from Sam Houston State University
in 1977, taught regular and special education for seven years
in Baytown, and decided to let her expertise take her to faraway
places, including Norway and Egypt.
In 1985 she
was teaching at the Cairo American School and returning to Cairo
by plane after a Thanksgiving weekend trip to Greece. Ten minutes
into the flight, three Abu Nidal terrorists hijacked the plane,
setting off a gun battle that de-pressurized the cabin and forced
it to land in Malta.
As part of
their demand for fuel, the hijackers began shooting passengers.
She was fourth in line. She was shot at point blank range, execution
style, thrown from the plane and left for dead.
That in itself
may have been a blessing.
After hours
of negotiations, Egyptian commandos stormed the plane by using
an explosive device that killed many on board. The hijackers
detonated several hand grenades inside the cabin. As a result
of the gunfire and explosions, 61 passengers and crew members
died.
After five
hours on the tarmac, drifting in and out of consciousness, she
was taken to a Malta hospital where a surgeon was able to save
her life.
Jackie Nink
Pflug tried to teach school again after that and found out that
she could not. She developed epilepsy as a result of her head
wound, and in 2003 recovered from cancer. The perspective she
will offer as this spring's President Speaker Series guest is
basically, "compared to what I've been through, most troubles
are small."
Her presentation
is entitled "The Courage to Succeed."
Her book, Miles
to Go Before I Sleep, is said to influence people's attitudes,
values and behaviors "long after the last page has been
read." She will speak at 11 a.m. Wednesday March 21 in the
Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium.
Pflug said
recently that the training she received at SHSU not only prepared
her to teach but has helped her cope with the adversity she
has faced.
"I had
such a great experience there," she said. "I had great
teachers, I felt safe, I grew up a lot."
Jackie Pflug
now lives in Eden Prairie, Minn., with her husband and 9-year-old
son. She has visited with Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office, been
on the Oprah show twice, and travels throughout the United States
telling her story and giving inspiration.
"Today
she speaks and shares a message of hope, like few others do," according
to her publicist. "Her presentation boosts morale and inspires
people to do and be their best on a daily basis. Her message
is universal, touches hearts, and engages minds of all ages and
backgrounds. People
walk away with a renewed sense of spirit, purpose, and will-do."
The President's
Speaker Series is supported by the estate of Lu Ellen Gibbs of
Huntsville. It was established by Gibbs and SHSU President Jim
Gaertner to bring people to campus who have inspirational messages
and have lived successful and principled lives.
Previous speakers
have included Gene Stallings, Debbie Fields, Dave Dravecky, David
Robinson, James Haley, Mickey Herskowitz, Wallace Jefferson,
Ken Jennings, Drayton McLane Jr. and Sherron Watkins.
—END—
SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
March 8, 2007
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