Film remembers astronaut from Challenger disaster

To celebrate Black History Month and commemorate the 26th anniversary of the Challenger space shuttle tragedy, the McNair Scholars Program is showing a film honoring the life of Ronald McNair.

The film will focus on the life of McNair, the second African-American astronaut in space.

McNair was one of seven victims in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle explosion. It will be shown Thursday at the Brown Bag Luncheon in the Gluck Theatre 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

McNair was a first-generation college student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received a doctorate in physics, said Betty Mei, assistant director for the McNair Scholars Program.

"He fought all odds to become a role model," she said.

In addition to the film, the McNair Scholars Program will present a short quiz about McNair and the Challenger.

Students with correct answers to the quiz will be entered into a drawing for McNair memorabilia, such as a bronze coin with the Challenger emblem, McNair T-shirts and more.

"It's a fun way for students to learn about Dr. McNair and a part of history," Mei said. "It will help us get to know this man a little bit more."

Mei said the film will be a learning experience for student and encourages all students to attend the presentation.

"We're here to learn. Every day we should be learning something. If you don't know about Dr. McNair, you need to go," she said. "I hope students will take advantage of the learning experience they get at WVU."

The McNair Scholars Program has been on West Virginia University's campus since 1999 and is still recruiting for 2012, Mei said. "It is a wonderful program.

West Virginia University is lucky to have so many McNair Scholars here," she said. "It is a life-changing experience."

The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education in honor of McNair, and funds are awarded to disadvantaged individuals who have demonstrated a high level of academic potential.

The McNair Scholars Program currently has seven alumni who have obtained doctorate degrees.

For more information on the McNair Scholars Program, visit mcnair.wvu.edu.

1/27 - Due to a reporting error, it was originally stated that McNair received a degree in civics. This is incorrect, he received a degree in physics. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.