Born October 21, 1950, Dr. Ronald E. McNair was the second African American to fly into outer space. His legacy is symbolic of the advances that African Americans have made in history. Although his history took root in a low-income household in Lake City, South Carolina, he was destined to excel in academia and life. His drive and resilience found in all of us afforded him some of the highest achievements in both. In high school, he was valedictorian. In college, where he received his bachelor's in Physics, he was magna cum laude. As a Physics Ph.D. recipient from MIT, his work in laser physics was nationally recognized.
In 1979, Dr. Ronald E. McNair joined the ranks of NASA as a mission specialist aboard the space shuttle Challenger at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. But, unfortunately for us and the world, his many contributions to African American history came to a halt when shortly after takeoff, the Challenger exploded nine miles over the Atlantic Ocean on January 28, 1986.
Dr. Ronald E. McNair exemplified excellence, and as students under his great name, so will we. He was the recipient of many commendations, and as students under his great name, we will make every effort to not only live up to the praises but keep them coming. Dr. Ronald E. McNair, our his-tory and our legacy!