UCO awards Astronaut John Herrington Honorary Doctoral Degree; first in University history
OKLAHOMA CITY -, Recently, the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) awarded John Herrington, Ph.D., the first Native American in space the first-ever honorary doctoral degree. The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) has awarded John Herrington, the first Native American in space, an honorary doctorate in its history. The award was presented at Oklahoma Research Day as part of the opening ceremony for Herrington's contributions to space exploration and efforts to engage Native American interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Herrington was presented with the honorary degree at the event, which also included a keynote for students and faculty. This is the first time in UCO history that the university has awarded such an honorary degree. Other notable achievements include induction into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame (2002), the International Aviation and Space Halls of Fame, the San Diego Air and Space Museum (2017), the National Native American Hall of Fines (2018), and the Oklahoma Hall of Famines.
Published : a month ago by Darla Shelden, City News OKC Senior Reporter in Science
OKLAHOMA CITY -, Recently, the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) awarded John Herrington, Ph.D., the first Native American in space the first-ever honorary doctoral degree.
UCO President Todd G. Lamb presented Herrington with the award at Oklahoma Research Day as part of the opening ceremony for his extraordinary contributions to space exploration and his efforts to engage Native American interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“Commander Herrington is a pivotal and inspiring figure, not only for the state of Oklahoma, but also for our nation,” Lamb said.
“He delivered a motivating and encouraging message that our bright, innovative students can reflect on as they blaze their own path,” Lamb added. “It was a privilege to host him on campus for the 25th anniversary of Oklahoma Research Day and to award him UCO’s inaugural honorary doctorate—making him an official member of the Broncho community.”
Oklahoma Research Day highlighted innovative research from more than 1,000 college students from across the state, including hundreds of students from UCO. In addition to the honorary degree, Herrington delivered a keynote to the students and faculty in attendance.
“UCO was honored to have Commander Herrington deliver the keynote for Oklahoma Research Day. With UCO having its first doctoral program approved just last year, we are thrilled to confer our very first doctoral degree, Doctor of Science honoris causa. This was truly a historic day in institutional history,” said Charlotte Simmons, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
Herrington, a former NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy officer, was born in Wetumka, Oklahoma, and is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. He served as a naval aviator and test pilot, and in 2002, he was the first Native American astronaut to accomplish space travel and a spacewalk, flying aboard space shuttle Endeavour—logging more than 330 hours in space.
Herrington's numerous notable awards include induction into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame (2002), the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame (2007), the International Aviation Hall of Fame, the San Diego Air and Space Museum (2017), the National Native American Hall of Fame (2018) and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame (2019).
In 2016, Herrington authored a children's book called “Mission to Space,” where he shares his passion for space travel and provides a glimpse into his astronaut training and mission to the International Space Station and includes an English to Chickasaw vocabulary list with space-related terms.
For more information about the University of Central Oklahoma, visit uco.edu.
Topics: Academia, Space