Honoring USU Alumna and NASA Astronaut Mary Cleave
The College of Engineering is excited to host a special event on May 9 to honor Mary Cleave, NASA astronaut, USU graduate and a passionate advocate for women in STEM. This event will reveal Cleave's space suit, which she donated to the College of Engineering after her passing on November 27, 2023. Her lasting legacy will help empower the next generation of explorers.
Event Details
- What: Honoring Mary Cleave: Special Exhibit About USU Alumna and NASA Astronaut
- Where: Anderson Engineering Building, USU Logan Campus
- When: May 9, 2025 at 9am - 12pm
Cleave's journey began when she was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1980, becoming one of the first women to complete NASA's demanding spaceflight training. As the 10th woman in space, she completed two successful missions, logging a total of 10 days, 22 hours, 2 minutes and 24 seconds in space.
You are invited to join the College of Engineering in honoring Mary Cleave on May 9 at 12 pm in the Anderson Engineering Building, USU Logan Campus.
Her contributions extended beyond her time in space. After the Challenger disaster in 1986, Cleave became the first woman to fly after the tragedy, participating in the successful deployment of the Magellan spacecraft. Later in her career, she played a pivotal role in NASA's Earth Science initiatives, working on important projects like SeaWiFS, which monitored global ocean vegetation.
Cleave was actively involved in several professional organizations, including Tau Beta Pi, National Society of Professional Engineers, Women in Aerospace and more. She received numerous honors, including two NASA Space Flight Medals, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, the American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award, the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, and the NASA Engineer of the Year Award.
Cleave's unwavering dedication to inspiring future generations, particularly young women, ensures her legacy will continue far beyond her retirement from NASA in 2007. Through mentorship, public speaking and outreach, Cleave encouraged countless individuals to pursue careers in STEM.
This event will feature a series of tributes and presentations that reflect on Cleave's invaluable contributions to space exploration. In addition, there will be a special tribute to USU's student chapter of Tau Beta Pi and the broader scientific community. Join us as we honor her legacy.
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Writer: Madeline Buskirk, madeline.buskirk@usu.edu, 435-797-7512
Contact: David Kunz, david.kunz@usu.edu, 435-797-8012