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| Contact: | Deborah Baness, 277-3096 or Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920 |
Jan. 23, 2001
UNM TO COMMEMORATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHALLENGER DISASTER
The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at the University of New Mexico will
commemorate the 15th anniversary of the death of Ronald E. McNair in the Challenger
Space Shuttle disaster on Monday, Jan. 29, 2001 at 3 p.m. at the new Special
Programs offices located at 1921 Las Lomas NE on the UNM campus.
The dedication of a tree and plaque honoring McNair will take place in front
of the Special Programs offices with approximately 30 UNM McNair scholars in
attendance.
The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program also celebrates both its first anniversary
at UNM and its recent move. UNM President William C. Gordon and Provost Brian
Foster are the scheduled guest speakers. UNM's McNair Scholars Program, within
Special Programs, helps prepare undergraduate juniors and seniors who aspire
to study at the graduate level. Applications from low income, first generation
college students, or students underrepresented in graduate education are invited
to submit an application by Sept.15.
Ronald Ervin McNair was the second African-American to fly in space. Although
from a poor background, he worked hard and was valedictorian of his high school
class. In 1971, he graduated magna-cum laude in physics from North Carolina
A & T State University. He was the first in his family to graduate from
college. McNair received a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT).
His tragic death on Jan. 28, 1986 aboard the space shuttle Challenger was watched live on television by millions of viewers around the world. His hard work and dedication to education and service to his country inspired the federal government to create a program in his name to help others achieve their dreams of earning a Ph.D.
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The University
of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981