Col. Thomas Akers, Math’73, MS Math’75, has logged more than 800 hours of space flight and 29 hours of space-walking experience. He was selected for NASA’s astronaut program after joining the Air Force and was a mission specialist on four space flights – including on the Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis. Following his career in the Air Force, Akers returned to his alma mater and taught math at S&T for 11 years before retiring in 2010.
Akers earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, both in mathematics, from S&T in 1973 and 1975, respectively.
Share This Story
Spark a Memory?
Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).
Laura Pirrone and Patrick Corcoran
Laura Pirrone and Patrick Corcoran had two things in common when they met at S&T. “We actually went to high…
Miner athletics’ biggest fan
Keith Bailey, a 1964 mechanical engineering graduate, transformed a company and then transformed S&T athletics. He joined Williams Co. in…
Alumni leading the telecommunications industry
Roy Wilkens, EE’66, and Mario A. Padilla, MetE’60, worked for years to challenge and change the status of the telecommunications…
Genevieve (DuBois) and Greg Sutton
Active in the mining industry and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Genevieve (DuBois) and Greg Sutton first met…
Courtney (Mandeville) and Josh Weber
Courtney (Mandeville) met Josh Weber at a Greek life mixer that she attended with her roommate in April 2015. “Going…
Katherine (Reid) and Josh Warner
Katherine (Reid) met Josh Warner in February 2011 at a social event co-hosted by her service sorority, Delta Omicron Lambda,…