"George C. Marshall: The Man behind the Plan" is the topic of biographer Mary Skutt as the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series begins its 20th season Thursday, Sept. 21, at Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst.

The lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public with no tickets required.

Skutt, a Virginia author, earned a bachelor's degree in education from Radford College and achieved a master's degree in education from the University of New Hampshire. She has taught fourth- and sixth-grade reading and the Title I Program in the New Hampshire and Virginia schools for 20 years.

In 1998, Skutt published her first book on George C. Marshall, "Growing Up, By George" tracing Marshall's early life from 1880-1901. The next book, "George C. Marshall: Reporting for Duty" (2001) detailed his military career through the end of World War II.

These books were written for the benefit of middle school social studies students (ages 12-15) with numerous photographs, maps and drawings to document the life of Marshall.

The trilogy concluded in 2005 with "George C. Marshall: The Man behind the Plan," focusing on his career as special envoy to China, secretary of state and secretary of defense.

There are in-depth accounts of the firing of General Douglas MacArthur and the formulation of the European Recovery Program. It includes the text of the Harvard Speech (Marshall Plan) and the Nobel Prize Lecture of 1953.

Skutt and her husband, Dick, are retired and live near House Mountain, Va., where she works with the Rockbridge Historical Society, writes novels, and visits with her four children and twelve grandchildren.

The Ruth Pauley Lecture Series is sponsored by Sandhills Community College, the Moore County League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women, and the Moore County Schools.

The objective of the series is to bring speakers to the Sandhills to give insights on issues important to our community.

The next lecture in the series will be Sept. 30 when Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke discusses "A Brilliant Madness: Living with Maniac-Depressive Illness."

Additional information can be obtained by calling 245-3132.