Scholars from across the country convened to honor one of A&T’s most celebrated alumni from Jan. 27 to Jan. 29 for the 24th annual Ronald E. McNair Commemorative Celebration and Ninth National Research Symposium.

Dr. Ronald E. McNair, who was a North Carolina A&T State University alumnus and the second Black astronaut, died in the Challenger disaster on Jan. 28, 1986.  Since 1986 A&T has paid tribute to McNair annually on January 28.  About 7 to 9 years ago, it was decided by the university to have something more substantive to honor Dr. McNair, so the celebration was turned into a national symposium.

Each year, nationally recognized scholars are invited to speak, in addition to tributes and salutes from faculty members and McNair’s friends and family.  

Participants never had a dull moment over the course of the three-day celebration. On the first day, participants engaged in conference workshops before being serenaded with a jazz reception in Stallings Ballroom. 

On the second day, visitors engaged in a panel discussion, consisting of primarily graduate students, followed shortly with a commemorative celebration luncheon. Participants also made the traditional march from the Memorial Student Union to McNair Hall as a tribute and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity gave their own special song tribute. 

For the final day, both undergraduate students and faculty members gave oral and poster presentations in Merrick Hall and in the Exhibit Hall of the Memorial Student Union, respectively. 

A “networking lunch” and a graduate recruitment fair were also held for guests, faculty, and students. Graduate studies were especially emphasized for the McNair Program, a multidisciplinary program which focuses on student research, preparation for grad school, and obtaining a doctorate degree.  On the final night of the three-day event, the entire celebration culminated with an awards banquet and a dance in Stallings.

The McNair Program, started in 1992, has 170 active programs across the nation and up to 28 students are selected each year for each program.  It is a year-round program, where students are able to do research at various venues across the country, even over the course of the summer. 

Through the program students get acquainted with graduate school and what it’s about, they can find a mentor either at A&T or from other participating schools, and they can collaborate with their mentor to complete their research project.  The outcome of the research project is a graduate-level study.

In the coming years, the legacy of Dr. Ronald E. McNair is sure to grow not only through his own accomplishments but also through scholars who follow his footsteps nationwide.

• Marcus Thompson