Carson City businessman Steve Browne is a successful professional who has written several books for the gaming industry. But perhaps the most memorable words he has written are those that tell the story of his amazing daughter, Katie May. Browne’s memoir, “How to Raise a Rocket Scientist,” will appear in a free lecture on Friday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-noon, at Western Nevada College.
Browne’s book is based on the challenging and uplifting journey of his daughter, Katie May, who was born with cerebral palsy and went on to graduate at the top of her class at the University of Nevada, Reno, and who now works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The creative story is a fictional account of Katie May’s life, even though 85 to 90 percent of the novel is factual, according to the author.
Katie May is scheduled to appear with her father during the 10 a.m. to noon lecture in Marlette Hall on the Carson City campus. The Brownes will speak from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a question-and-answer session and book-signing event.
“We are very excited to have Steve and Katie speak at this event,” said Susan Trist, disability support services coordinator at WNC. “I am honored to have been involved in her education, even though it was brief. She truly is an inspiration; the book about her life is well-written and a must read for anyone who works with those with disabilities.”
The lecture is sponsored by the Disability Awareness Coalition along with WNC, Truckee Meadows Community College, and the University of Nevada, Reno.
Father and daughter also will appear that same day from 2 to 4 p.m. at TMCC and from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Joe Crowley Student Union on the UNR campus.
Katie May graduated from Carson High School with top honors in 2006, and while enrolled in high school, she took a calculus class from Dr. Michael Hardie at WNC. She went on to finish at the top of her class in UNR’s College of Engineering.
Katie May is now employed at the Goddard Flight Space Center in College Park, Md.
In addition to “How to Raise a Rocket Scientist,” Steven Browne has published two books on gaming service and sales. He is a motivational speaker, writer and lecturer in the gaming industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from the University of Colorado.
Go here to learn more about the book.