The Legacy of Dr. Ronald E. McNair
Dr. Ronald E. McNair (October 21, 1950 - January 28, 1986) was a pioneering physicist, astronaut, and inspiration for the program that bears his name.
A Life of Perseverance and Achievement
Born in poverty in Lake City, South Carolina, Dr. McNair demonstrated dedication to excellence:
- He graduated as valedictorian from Carver High School.
- He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from North Carolina A&T State University.
- He attained a Ph.D. in Laser Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
NASA and the Challenger Tragedy
In 1978, Dr. McNair was selected by NASA as one of thirty-five astronaut candidates from a pool of ten thousand applicants. He served as a mission specialist on two space flights. Tragically, Dr. McNair suffered an untimely death at the age of 35 when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded seconds after launch on January 28, 1986.
The McNair Scholars Program
The Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program was established by the U.S. Department of Education in 1989. Created in the spirit of Dr. McNair, the program is designed to equip promising, low-income, and underrepresented students with the scholarly and research skills necessary to pursue graduate studies.
The ultimate goal of the McNair Program is to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from historically underrepresented segments of society, preparing them to become the next generation of faculty and leaders.
"Whether or not you reach your goals in life depends entirely on how well you prepare for them and how badly you want them. You're eagles! Stretch your wings and fly to the sky." Dr. McNair