Former NASA astronaut and mechanical engineering and mechanics professor Terry Hart ’68 ’88H will deliver the address at Lehigh’s 152nd spring commencement on Monday, May 18.
Hart was a member of NASA’s “Group 8”—the first selection of space shuttle astronaut candidates in nine years—and later joined NASA’s 11th space shuttle mission aboard the STS 41-C Challenger, launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 6, 1984.
“I'm deeply honored to deliver this year’s commencement address,” says Hart. “After my varied career experiences, I was proud to return to my alma mater as a member of the engineering faculty and to pay forward what had been provided to me years ago as a student at Lehigh. I am particularly touched to have the opportunity to address the members of this year’s graduating class, some of whom I have had the privilege to teach.”
According to Lehigh President John D. Simon ’19P: “It’s hard to imagine a more distinguished and fascinating career than Terry’s. Our graduates will benefit immensely from hearing his stories and insights. It’s not every day they get to hear from someone who proudly flew the Lehigh banner in outer space.”
As a current professor of practice in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Hart has developed several new courses in aircraft and spacecraft engineering in support of the department’s aerospace minor while advising his students on a variety of NASA research projects.
Read more about Hart's career at NASA and his long-standing commitment to Lehigh in the Lehigh University News Center.
