Festivities filled North Carolina A&T’s campus during the 20th Annual Ronald E. McNair Commemorative Celebration and 5th National Symposium this past weekend.

McNair scholars from various schools performed oral and poster presentations. Scholars addressed issues such as race and social trust and how hip hop affects college students and faculty.

Aside from the presentations, there was a step show, and Carl S. McNair signed his book, “In the Spirit of Ronald E. McNair, Astronaut, an American Hero.” Carl McNair is the founder and president of the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Foundation, Inc. in Atlanta, Ga.

The symposium began on Jan. 26 and included campus tours, presentations, and sessions Carl McNair as keynote speaker. There also was a graduate school fair held for participants.

The following day included student and faculty oral presentations and a sppech by Dr. Orlando L. Taylor, the vice provost for research dean of the graduate school of Howard University.

The McNair celebration, held on Jan. 28, included a McNair memorial tribute by members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and a march from Memorial Student Union to McNair Hall. The celebration concluded with the McNair Celebration Luncheon and Awards Ceremony. Dr. Myra Shird, an associate professor in the journalism and mass communication department, was the keynote speaker for this event.

Dr. Ronald E. McNair was born October 21, 1950 in Lake City, S.C. After graduation from high school, McNair attended North Carolina A& T State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in physics in 1971.

McNair continued his education and acquired a doctorate of philosophy in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1975 he studied laser physics at the E’ cole D’ete Theroique de Physicque in France.

McNair was an A&T alumni and one of the world’s first African American space shuttle astronauts. On the morning of January 28, 1986, McNair and his six crew members died in an explosion aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

Carl McNair divulges the hardships of compiling a book in his brother’s memory.

“Well the first thing I had to overcome was the fear of writing,” he said.

McNair further describes that there is an inspirational part of the book he believes readers will find an underlying message by which his brother lived.

“Stay away from the dream stealers, and seize every opportunity,” he said.

McNair explains he would like his readers to gain a new perspective on life.

“There are great opportunities here at North Carolina A&T,” McNair said.

McNair scholars also were highlighted during the symposium.

“The purpose of the McNair program is to boost African American students into higher education,” said Dr. Joyce Brown, the executive director of the McNair Program at A&T.

Expanding in numbers, Brown boasts that there are currently179 McNair programs nationwide.

The academic year component for the program at A&T operates during the fall and spring semesters.

“(The McNair Program) has better equipped me for graduate school and post-secondary school, and preparing a resume,” said Claudine Smith, a senior political science major and McNair scholar at A&T. “It also allows me to visit colleges, network with deans and professors, and when I apply to these schools, they already know my face.”

The summer component of the program operates for 10 weeks from May to August. Scholars receive such things as a $2,800 stipend and room and board (for students who elect on-campus housing).

McNair scholars engage in seminars, graduate school fairs and symposiums, graduate school visits and research conferences.

The McNair Program is designed to prepare participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. The goal of the program is to increase graduate degree attainment of minority students.

• Sierra Napier