The 2010 Ralph Steele Visiting Lecture Series took place on January 28, 2010 and was a tremendous success.  Ms. Fran Mainella, a scholar from the Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, was this year’s visiting lecturer.  Previously, Ms. Mainella completed nearly her sixth year as the 16th director and the first woman to lead the National Park Service.  She served 12 years as the director of Florida’s State Parks, where under her leadership Florida was awarded the NRPA Gold Medal Award, recognizing it as the best state –park system in the country.  Ms. Mainella has also served as President of both the National Recreation and Park Association and the National Association of State Park Directors.  Ms. Mainella holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and received both a Master’s degree and an honorary doctorate from Central Connecticut State University.