NASA’s Scott Kelly Announced as UAlbany Undergraduate Commencement Speaker
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Scott Kelly, an engineer, retired American astronaut, and retired U.S. Navy Captain.
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ALBANY, N.Y. (April 7, 2017) – Captain Scott Kelly, an engineer, U.S. Navy captain and retired astronaut, will deliver the keynote address at UAlbany’s undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 21.
More than 2,000 seniors are expected to receive their degrees at the ceremony, which will be held on the Entry Plaza lawn at 11 a.m.
An astronaut since 1996, Kelly’s achievements over his illustrious 20-year NASA career earned him the coveted position as America’s first year-round astronaut. His missions included a 340-day stay abroad the International Space Station with Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko from March 2015-16.
Kelly’s year in space helped pave the way for the future of space travel through an unprecedented NASA study on how space affects the human body. His memoir, “Endurance: My Year in Space and Our Journey to Mars,” is set for release in Fall 2017 and has already been optioned for a film by Sony Pictures. He retired from NASA in April 2016.
Kelly is a SUNY graduate himself (SUNY Maritime College ’87) and grew up in West Orange, New Jersey. His twin brother Mark is also a retired astronaut and served on the ground as a control model during Scott’s historic mission.
For more information on Commencement Weekend, visit the event’s official website.
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A comprehensive public research university, the University at Albany-SUNY offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors and 125 master's, doctoral and graduate certificate programs. UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, education, public health,health sciences, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare and sociology, taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. It also offers expanded academic and research opportunities for students through an affiliation with Albany Law School. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.
