Spacefaring Teacher Receives President George H.W. Bush
Award
On
March 19 at the George Bush Presidential Library in College
Station, TX, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and
former President George H.W. Bush presented NASA Educator Astronaut
Barbara Morgan with Challenger Center's top honor, The President
George H.W. Bush Award.
The award was first given to President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush
in 1995 for their support in continuing the mission of the
Challenger 51-L crew that was tragically lost in 1986. Prior to the
ceremony, Morgan (right) gave a brief presentation sponsored
by the Marilyn Kent Byrne Student Success Center to students from
Texas A&M.
Background information on President George H. W. Bush Award At
the time of the Challenger accident, Vice President Bush was the
first person to express his grief and great sorrow to the families,
speaking for himself, the President and the Nation. He personally
extended his hand to the families with a simple gesture of giving
June Scobee a note with his home phone number and a message "Call
if you need us." He was the first to support the Challenger
families in creating the Challenger Center for Space Science
Education, now an international education network of 50 Challenger
Learning Centers across the United States and around the world.
Dedicated to the educational spirit of the 51-L mission,
Challenger Learning Center programs engage students in science,
math and technology and foster in them an interest to pursue
careers in those fields.
Former President Bush has continued to provide his leadership
and support to Challenger Center over the last 22 years. On April
11, 1995, as Challenger Center approached the 10th anniversary, the
Challenger families gathered in Washington, DC. with friends and
former President and Mrs. Bush. Challenger Center presented
President and Barbara Bush, the Challenger Center Presidential
Award recognizing the impact that their leadership had in
fulfilling the dream of the family members in developing an
on-going legacy in the memory of loved ones lost in the Challenger
accident.
In appreciation of the Bushes continued support, Challenger
Center created the President George H. W. Bush Award. This top
honor is presented to distinguished individuals who encompass the
same qualities of compassion, encouragement, and commitment to
Challenger Center.
The President's presentation of the award to Barbara Morgan,
NASA educator astronaut, back-up teacher to Christa McAuliffe, and
long-time supporter of Challenger Center, is presented to Ms.
Morgan for her dedication to education and for her persistence and
tenacity to accomplish, after two decades, the "Teacher in Space
Mission."