In celebration of Black History Month, Frederick Gregory, former NASA astronaut and former NASA deputy administrator, will give a talk titled “Influences, Contributions and Future Discoveries” on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m. in the Building 402 Auditorium. All employees whose schedules permit are invited to attend.
Gregory will describe the influence of both people and events on his personal and professional lives and how he realized he was a stepping stone for future generations.
Shuttle service will be provided starting at 10:15 a.m. with stops at Buildings 201, 212, 202, 203, 200, 205, 240 and 362 to 402. Return trips will follow the talk.
In 1985 on the orbiter Challenger, Gregory was the first African American to fly in space as a pilot. As spacecraft commander aboard the Discovery in 1989, he became the first African American to command a space mission. He has extensive experience as an astronaut, test pilot and manager of flight safety programs and launch support operations. He was selected as an astronaut in January 1978 and logged 455 hours in space. In addition to serving aboard Discovery and Challenger, he was spacecraft commander aboard Atlantis in 1991.
Gregory retired as a colonel in the United States Air Force in December 1993 after logging 7,000 hours in more than 50 types of aircraft, including 550 combat missions in Vietnam. His 30-year Air Force career included serving as a helicopter pilot and as a fighter pilot. He graduated from the United States Naval Test Pilot School and served as an engineering test pilot for the Air Force and for NASA.
He went on to serve in many other roles at NASA, including as deputy administrator. In that capacity, he served as the chief operating officer for the agency. He was responsible for directing and managing many of the programs as well as the day-to-day operations and activities at NASA.
Gregory holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy and a master’s degree in information systems from George Washington University as well as honorary doctorates from the College of Aeronautics, The University of the District of Columbia and Southwestern University.
The event is co-sponsored by the Argonne African American Employee Resource Group, Argonne Veterans Group, the Argonne Leadership Institute and the U.S. Department of Energy Integrated Support Center – Chicago Unity Council.