While in junior high school, Dr. McNair was inspired to work hard and persevere in his studies by his family and by a teacher who recognized his scientific potential and believed in him. McNair graduated as valedictorian from Carver High School in McNair then enrolled in the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In , at the age of 26, he earned his Ph. While working as a staff physicist with Hughes Research Laboratory, Dr.
McNair soon became a recognized expert in laser physics. He was also a sixth-degree black belt in karate and an accomplished saxophonist. Because of his many accomplishments, he was selected by NASA for the space shuttle program in His first space shuttle mission launched successfully from Kennedy Space Center on February 3, Ronald E. McNair was the second African American to fly in space.
Two years later he was selected to serve as mission specialist aboard the ill-fated U. Challenger space shuttle. He was killed instantly when the Challenger exploded one minute, thirteen seconds after it was launched. Their goal was to encourage low-income and first-generation college students, and students from historically underrepresented ethnic groups to expand their educational opportunities by enrolling in a Ph.
This program is dedicated to the high standards of achievement inspired by Dr. Department of Education. The objective of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase the number of graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented groups of society. The McNair Program specifically aims to identify and prepare sophomores, juniors and seniors from Fort Valley State University for post-graduate studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.
Highly motivated, disciplined, and hardworking individuals, uprising juniors and seniors, who are:. This website uses cookies.
