By Jonathan Frank, TTU Communications and Marketing, and Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE -- Tennessee Tech University will host a video chat with NASA astronaut, university trustee and two-time alumnus Barry "Butch" Wilmore live from the International Space Station on Friday, May 10th at 2:45 p.m. CT in the Multipurpose Room of the Roaden University Center on Tech's campus. The event is free and open to the community.
Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams are set to launch on Monday, May 6 at 9:34 p.m. CT as part of the Boeing Crew Flight Test bound for the International Space Station aboard the Starliner aircraft and United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
During the live event on May 10, Tech will host local students who will ask questions of Wilmore. While media and the public will not have an opportunity to ask questions, all are invited to attend to show their support. The conversation will air live on NASA TV and will be shared afterward on the agency's digital platforms.
"Tennessee Tech is deeply proud to have Butch Wilmore as an alumnus, trustee and friend," said Tech President Phil Oldham. "Through his incredible career achievements, Butch shows our students what a Tech degree makes possible and what it means to live a life of service and impact. The entire Golden Eagle community is cheering him on."
Oldham continued, "From his years on our football team, to his time on our Board of Trustees, to this historic event, Butch's indelible mark on our campus is undeniable. We are grateful that he remains closely connected to Tech and we express our utmost gratitude to NASA for making this event possible."
Wilmore recently previewed his upcoming video chat in a conversation with reporters, calling his alma mater "the finest university in the nation."
Wilmore holds two degrees and an honorary doctorate from Tech. The Mt. Juliet, Tenn. native is a member of the university's Sports Hall of Fame and the recipient of Tech's 2010 Outstanding Alumni Award for the College of Engineering. His term on the university's Board of Trustees extends from 2017 to 2026.
Wilmore also won the NCAA's highest honor -- the Theodore Roosevelt Award -- in 2018 and is the only recipient of the award from the Ohio Valley Conference. The award's past winners include U.S. Presidents and heads of state, elite athletes, actors and coaches.
An alumni member of the Tech football team, Wilmore walked on and started the final three games of the 1982 season at defensive end, missed 1983 to a knee injury, then played strong safety in 1984. In his final season with the Golden Eagles, he moved to outside linebacker and flourished, recording 143 tackles -- the third-most in a single season -- including 21 tackles against Austin Peay, which stood as the second-most in a single game. Wilmore was named to the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team and a selection to the Super Squad Defensive Team by the Leonard's Losers football publication.
He was also named a winner of the Tech football team's highest honor, the Robert Hill Johnson Award. Wilmore was also named a Scholar-Athlete Award winner by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.
What: Live chat with NASA astronaut and Tennessee Tech alumnus Barry "Butch" Wilmore from the International Space Station
When: Friday, May 10 at 2:45 PM CDT
Where: Multipurpose Room (Rm. 282) of the Roaden University Center, 1000 N. Dixie Ave., Cookeville
Media: Open press. Note: While the event does not provide an opportunity for media to speak directly with Butch, all responses to student questions are considered on-the-record. Tech administrators will also be available to discuss Butch's impact and contributions to campus.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
