Please make checks payable to:
McNair Achievement Programs
In
the Spirit of Ronald E. McNair - Astronaut
is an intensely moving story about one of the world's
first African-American space shuttle astronauts. Born
and reared in a small town in South Carolina, he did
not let his humble beginnings or the color of his skin
stand between him and his goal of becoming an astronaut.
After graduating Magna Cum Laude from North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University, McNair
went on to earn a Ph.D. in laser physics from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1978, he was one of
35 astronaut candidates selected from a pool of 11,000
applicants to become a member of NASA’s elite
space shuttle program. In February 1984, he first orbited
the Earth aboard the space shuttle, Challenger. In 1986,
Dr. McNair perished along with six fellow crewmembers
aboard the ill-fated shuttle, Challenger.
Dr. Ronald McNair combined a remarkable life and career
as a research scientist, pioneering astronaut, family
man, jazz musician, karate expert, and a man of faith.
His lifelong commitment was to continue his course to
inspire and encourage students to dream big, work hard
and accomplish their goals. As a crusader for education,
he spoke before the Massachusetts State Legislature
on education, Dr. McNair proclaimed, "I believe
that in urban and rural cities there are great minds
and talents with the hands that can control a spacecraft
with the same dexterity that they control and handle
a basketball. This talent must not be wasted."
Ron McNair is an American hero who's story serves as
a model for people from all walks of life. His story
is one that must be passed on from generation to generation.
"Before you can make a dream come true, you must first have
one."
-- Dr. Ronald E. McNair
