Dr.
Ronald E. McNair, the second African American
to fly in space, was born on October 21, 1950,
in Lake City, South Carolina. He graduated as
valedictorian from Carver High School in 1967.
In 1971, he received the bachelor's degree magna
cum laude in physics from North Carolina A&T
State University. He received the Ph.D. degree
in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology in 1976.
Dr. McNair was nationally recognized for his work
in the field of laser physics. Selected for the
astronaut program in 1978, he was the recipient
of many honorary degrees, fellowships and commendations.
A sixth degree belt in karate and an accomplished
saxophonist, he was the father of two children,
Reginald Erwin and Joy Cheray. Dr. McNair and
six other astronauts died in a fiery explosion
aboard the space shuttle Challenger on January
28, 1986 |
