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Posted: 2/11/16

NASA Astronaut Wilson Keynote Speaker at STEM Alliance Luncheon Friday

 

NASA Astronaut Wilson
NASA Astronaut Stephanie Wilson visits TAMIU Feb. 26.  

A group of Laredo middle school students visiting Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Friday, Feb. 26 will meet National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson, the second African American woman to go on a space mission. 

Wilson will be keynote speaker during the 2016 TAMIU STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Alliance luncheon Friday, Feb. 26, from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom.

 Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) and TAMIU are hosting the four-day STEM Alliance. The event, which takes place at TAMIU from Wednesday – Saturday, Feb. 24-27, is designed to encourage local Hispanic female students to consider careers in STEM fields as they are currently underrepresented in those areas.

 The STEM Alliance also includes a career fair and presentations from companies, universities and government agencies. Students, especially Hispanic females, are strongly encouraged to attend and learn about diverse career options available.

TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Pablo Arenaz said that the STEM Alliance provides students an opportunity to explore future career possibilities available through STEM studies.

“We are fortunate to be able to host this event with Congressman Henry Cuellar for the past six years and expose students to the many career paths available through STEM areas,” Dr. Arenaz said, “From exploring space as an astronaut and curing diseases as a physician to building roads as an engineer and helping solve crimes at a crime lab as a chemist, STEM graduates can look forward to bright futures ahead.”

 A native of Boston, Mass., Wilson was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1996. She was a crewmember on Discovery missions STS-120, STS-121 and STS-131 to the International Space Station. She holds a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas. Her bachelor of science in Engineering Science was earned at Harvard University.

Her many honors and achievements include the Johnson Space Center Director Commendation Award (2013), the Johnson Space Center Director’s Innovation Group Achievement Award (2013), NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2009, 2011), NASA Space Flight Medal (2006, 2007, 2010), an honorary Doctorate of Science from Williams College (2011), Harvard College Women’s Professional Achievement Award (2008), Harvard Foundation Scientist of the Year Award (2008) and the Young Outstanding Texas Exes Award (2005).

Organizations participating in the STEM alliance include: TAMIU, Laredo Community College, National Weather Service, Hitachi High Technologies America, Hitachi Transport System America, Google, SpaceX, Wells Fargo, Graduate School/Biomedical Sciences/University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (Health/Dental/Nursing), Exceptional Home Care, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, AEP, Union Pacific Railroad, Frank Architecture, Inc., Randolph AFB, Lewis Energy, NASA, UMBC/NSA GSFC, United States Air Force, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Imaginarium of South Texas, and the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute.

 Others include: Harmony Science Academy Laredo, The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center-Regional, UTSA Department of Biology, USDA, Area Health Education Center, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies, Lackland Air Force Base, Federal Protection Service, DPS Crime Laboratory, U.S. Marines, UT School of Health Professions, UTSA Dental School.

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268. 

Additional information is also available at www.tamiu.edu and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.