Karen Nyberg Lands on UND Campus to Launch Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Partnership

(Photo by Joe Banish/UND Today)

(By Joe Banish. UND Today) -The University of North Dakota welcomed back an alumna whom administrators called among the university’s most distinguished.

Karen Nyberg, a retired NASA astronaut who spent a total of 180 days in space conducting missions servicing the International Space Station (ISS), addressed students, faculty and staff at the Odegard Hall Atmospherium on Monday, Jan. 26. She chronicled her 20-year career with NASA, while also celebrating the launch of UND’s partnership with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).

The scholarship was established in 1984 by NASA’s Mercury Seven astronaut group – the first Americans to travel to space. It is awarded to approximately 70 rising juniors and seniors studying STEM subjects annually, representing 55 partner institutions nationwide. Additionally, the scholarship’s mentorship program provides awardees with invaluable networking opportunities to help launch their academic and professional careers.

Robin Turner, senior director of development for the College of Engineering & Mines at UND’s Alumni Association and Foundation, expressed excitement at the opportunities such a partnership affords UND students.