Former Astronaut Aims To Inspire Next Generation Of Scientists And Engineers

A photo of an astronaut at the controls of a space shuttle. — Bonnie J. Dunbar, STS-71 mission specialist, occupies the commander’s station on the space shuttle Atlantis’ flight deck during rendezvous operations with Russia’s Mir Space Station in June 1995. Dunbar acted as the communications link between the two spacecraft for both the docking and undocking phases of the historic joint mission.
NASA

Former astronaut Dr. Bonnie Dunbar will present scholarships to three Texas A&M University seniors during an event on campus next month aimed at encouraging students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The outreach program, which has invited more than 2,000 middle- and high-school students from around the region to attend, is set for Tuesday, Oct. 1. The program will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Rudder Auditorium and will be hosted by Texas A&M University Honors and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

Dunbar is the John and Bea Slattery Chair and a professor of aerospace engineering in Texas A&M’s College of Engineering. She directs the university’s Aerospace Human System’s Laboratory.

She will give a presentation titled Thinking Outside the Sphere, where she will recount her path to becoming an engineer, helping design the Space Shuttle Thermal Projection System and flying aboard the vehicle she helped to design. Her talk will feature highlights of her five space missions that led to a variety of lessons learned from space exploration.

Three Aggie seniors — Amanda Galloway, biomedical engineering; Annaleine Whitson, electrical engineering; and Kevin Le, mathematics — will receive scholarships of up to $15,000 from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).

“My parents always encouraged reading and learning, and believed in the power of education, which has led to opportunities that have made my career possible,” Dunbar said. “As my Scottish grandfather used to say, ‘Education is your most valuable possession — no one can take it away.’”

Though the ASF awards are among the largest merit-based monetary scholarships awarded to undergraduate STEM juniors and seniors, they are valued for more than the finances. The Astronaut Scholars who are selected also receive mentorship, professional and personal development and opportunities with industry leaders to help advance their careers; they become life-long partners with the Foundation.

The ASF was founded most notably by the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts to encourage students to pursue scientific excellence. Part of the goal of the Foundation is to support and encourage the United States in remaining a leader in technology and innovation. It partners with universities, individual donors, and industry leaders to reward students in the STEM fields.

Caroline Schumacher, president and CEO of the ASF, spoke about the Foundation’s impact over its 40-year history that today provides 70 scholarships annually to America’s brightest STEM scholars, while building upon the legacy of America’s pioneering astronauts.

“Since our inception, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has selected 855 Astronaut Scholars from 48 university partners and awarded over $9 million in scholarship funding. Every scholar is selected based on merit and embodies characteristics such as intelligence, ambition, tenacity, and a passion for science, exploration, and innovation,” she said. “Astronaut Scholars drive positive and lasting change for our global society. ASF has proudly partnered with Texas A&M from day one and this year is excited to select three exceptional students as Astronaut Scholars.”

This year, Julie Shepard-Jenkins — daughter of Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, who was the first American in space — is sponsoring the third scholarship to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the ASF. The support this year went to Texas A&M in honor of her husband, Greg Jenkins ’75.

The Wreyford Family Foundation also makes a five-year commitment for a $10,000 per year scholarship to Texas A&M, which is then presented by ASF.

Texas A&M University Honors is the host office and overseer of ASF awards and scholarships. It is part of Texas A&M’s overall effort to unite students and faculty to encourage a network of life-long learners and nationally recognized scholars. Honors courses, scholarly engagements and research programs are available to students through various groups at the University.