From New Rockford to NASA and into space, Buchli earns Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award

(KNOX) – Colonel James Buchli is the 49th recipient of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest civilian honor.
He was presented the award during a ceremony Tuesday morning in Robin Hall of the UND Aerospace School… which Buchli has been a strong supporter of.
Buchli was the first North Dakotan in space…having flown on four space shuttle and space lab missions from 1978 to 1992.
The New Rockford native credited his upbringing in North Dakota with providing inspirational teachers, coaches and other role models, saying, “North Dakota is a unique place. If it wasn’t for the time that we spent in North Dakota, we would not have done some of the things that we’ve been able to do in our careers and our lives.
“When I talk to children and students, young adults, I talk about those things that are important as they have been in growing up in North Dakota – those attributes of hard work, tenacity, goals, those are things that make the difference in whether you’re going to be successful or whether you’re not,” Buchli said.
Former UND Dean of Aerospace Bruce Smith, who nominated Buchli for the Rough Rider Award, drew a laugh when he quoted one of the nomination letters who made the case for Buchli to receive the Rough Rider Award by stating bluntly, “He’s an astronaut, for cryin’ out loud.”

In presenting the award, Governor Doug Burgum said Buchli has “gone further, gone higher than any North Dakotan.”
The ceremony concluded with an exchange of state flags, Buchli’s from his first space shuttle mission in 1985, while Burgum’s flag flew over the state capitol Monday.