The Oklahoma State University/A&M Board of Regents voted today to award an honorary doctor of science degree to legendary astronaut and native Oklahoman General Thomas P. Stafford during commencement ceremonies in May. The request now goes to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for final approval.
Stafford, a native of Weatherford, Okla., is an aviation pioneer who flew two Gemini space flights and commanded Apollo 10, which was the first mission to fly a lunar module to within ten miles of the Moon’s surface. He also became the first general to fly in space when he commanded a joint U.S.-Soviet space mission in 1975, which connected the Apollo and Soyuz space vehicles. He met a cosmonaut in the connecting open hatch for a handshake that signaled a new beginning for the two countries.
“General Stafford went from football captain at Weatherford High School to finish near the top of his class in the Naval Academy and first in his class after transitioning to test pilot school in the U.S. Air Force, and he was just getting warmed up,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “Eventually, his accomplishments as an astronaut gave NASA the confidence to put a man on the Moon. We are pleased to recognize a true pioneer of space flight with an honorary doctorate of science as a sign of our deep and abiding appreciation for his many contributions.”
As soon as he graduated as a test pilot, Stafford was offered a teaching slot, where he co-wrote two text books for trainees. Soon after, he was selected as an astronaut for NASA, piloting the Gemini 6 space flight and commanding Gemini 9. His Apollo 10 flight proved that all the components were in place and ready for the Moon landing that would be accomplished by Apollo 11. Before he retired in 1979, Stafford commanded the Air Force Flight Test Center and helped lead research and development for the Air Force. Stafford’s career included six rendezvous in space and more than 507 hours of actual space flight. He flew over 120 types of fixed wing and rotary aircraft and three types of spacecraft.
Following his career with NASA, Stafford chaired a committee to independently advise the space agency on how to carry out President George H.W. Bush’s vision of a return to the Moon and exploration of Mars, resulting in a study called “America at the Threshold.” Stafford co-founded a technical consulting firm in Alexandria, Virginia, and serves on the board of directors of nine corporations. He has served in an advisory capacity for several governmental agencies.
Stafford, who lives in Florida, enjoys hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and swimming.
Other Regent Meeting Releases:
OSU/A&M REGENTS APPROVE PERSONNEL ACTIONS
