Native American Astronaut John Herrington to Speak at UNC Pembroke

The Museum of the Southeast American Indian at UNC Pembroke will host Commander John B. Herrington, a trailblazing astronaut and member of the Chickasaw Nation, for a special public presentation. Herrington will share his extraordinary journey of becoming a NASA astronaut, walking in space and carrying his Native heritage into orbit.

The event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Museum of the Southeast American Indian.

Herrington made history in 2002 as the first enrolled citizen of an American Indian tribe to fly in space. He served as a mission specialist on STS-113 Endeavour, logging more than 330 hours in space and conducting three spacewalks.

Born in Wetumka, Oklahoma, and raised in Colorado, Texas and Wyoming, Herrington earned a degree in applied mathematics from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He was a naval aviator and test pilot before being selected by NASA in 1996.

In addition to his remarkable career at NASA, Herrington has become an advocate for education, particularly in inspiring Native youth to pursue careers in STEM fields.

Admission is free and open to the public. The museum is located in Old Main.

For more information, please contact the Museum of the Southeast American Indian at 910.521.6282 or visit their page.